Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has signed an executive order today banning the practice of conversion therapy for children. This ban has already been in effect in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth but now applies statewide. This executive order would ban minors from being subjected to the controversial practice of conversion therapy, which aims to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Bring Me The News reports: Officials in Minnesota tried to ban this type of therapy back in 2019 " A DFL-sponsored bill would have prevented state money from going toward the practice and forbid providers from using it to treat children and vulnerable adults. The bill failed in the Republican-controlled Senate, with some lawmakers calling it a government overstep."

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According to a 2018 study from the Trevor Project children who underwent conversion therapy were twice as likely to have attempted suicide in the past year. In my opinion what makes this practice so dangerous, besides the fact that it is wrong to do,  is it is practiced and enforced by not only licensed therapists, but unlicensed ministries, life coaches and many faith based organizations. Not only is verbal coercion used but sometimes physical depending on the provider.

According to the Trevor Project :

Conversion therapy refers to any of several dangerous and discredited practices aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. For example, that could mean attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation from lesbian, gay, or bisexual to straight or their gender identity from transgender or nonbinary to cisgender. And it could include efforts to change a person’s gender expression (to make a person act more stereotypically masculine or feminine, for example), or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward a person of the same gender.

 

It really is no wonder that LGBTQ+ Youth keep their sexual identity to themselves for fear of not only being rejected by family and friends but also to possibly be subjected to this type of "therapy" . Thankfully more and more states are banning this practice with only 9 states in the U.S. that do not offer any protection while others offer partial protection in certain cities and 15 states including Minnesota offer Full Protection. For more information or if you or someone you know is in need of help or resources please click HERE!

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