Homosexuality is not a mental disease. It is not a choice nor is it an addiction. Yet, despite the plethora of widely respected
medical organizations that have reiterated the fact for decades many parts of our society continue to treat gayness as an option that can be overcome.
That's why the dangerous practice of conversion therapy still exists.
Conversion therapy also known as ex-gay or reparative therapy is the process of trying to change one's sexual orientation or gender. While someone can undergo the practice at any age, children forced by their parents are the ones who suffer most.
The practice can cause serious feelings of self-hate, depression and even provoke suicidal thoughts or acts according to some. And yet, this type of snake oil therapy is still legal in the majority of the United States.
Currently,
only 20 states plus the capital city of D.C. have outlawed the practice, leaving
more than 68% of the LGBTQ community vulnerable. Luckily, as lawmakers become more and more aware of the dangers of this practice, the pressure to ban conversion therapy is increasing. Now, we need the remaining states that allow the harmful practice to join the movement and prohibit this process once and for all.
These are the states in which minors can still be subjected to conversion therapy:Alabmama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tenessee, Texas, West Viriginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Please urge every state to do its part to end this hateful and bigoted industry today. Sign the petition and demand states ban conversion therapy now.
