Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed two bills banning conversion therapy for minors in the state, according to an announcement from the governor’s office. Conversion therapy is a scientifically discredited practice that aims to change a person’s sexual orientation. With the signing of these bills, Michigan becomes the 22nd state to ban conversion therapy.
Whitmer, who identifies as a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community, expressed her gratitude on Twitter, stating that the ban on conversion therapy will make Michigan a more welcoming and inclusive place. The governor’s approval of these measures aligns with her previous executive directive in 2021, which blocked the use of federal and state funds for conversion therapy on minors.
One of the bills signed into law, House Bill 4616, prohibits mental health professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with minors. Violations of this law may result in disciplinary action, including the suspension or revocation of a mental health professional’s license. Additionally, House Bill 4617 adds the definition of conversion therapy to the state’s mental health code, describing it as any practice or treatment by a mental health professional that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The ban on conversion therapy will take effect in late October, providing much-needed protection for LGBTQ+ minors in Michigan. The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the country, celebrated the signing of the bills and commended Governor Whitmer as a champion for LGBTQ+ equality.
Sarah Warbelow, vice president of legal for the Human Rights Campaign, stated that conversion therapy is a dangerous and discredited practice that should never see the light of day again in Michigan. LGBTQ+ rights have become a prominent issue in state legislatures nationwide, with Democratic lawmakers pushing for protections and Republicans seeking to curtail them.
This ban on conversion therapy in Michigan follows similar actions taken in other states. In April, Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Tim Walz signed a ban on conversion therapy into law, and Arizona’s Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs signed an executive order prohibiting state resources from supporting conversion therapy on minors.
By enacting these bans, states are taking a crucial step towards protecting the well-being and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly minors. The discrediting of conversion therapy and the implementation of these bans reflect a growing understanding of the harmful effects of attempting to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-07-27 11:51:00