Seattle bans gay ‘cure’ therapy for kids
Seattle’s city council this week unanimously voted to pass an ordinance to ban the practice of gay ‘conversion’ therapy for minors.
The bill, sponsored by Seattle council-member Lorena Gonzalez, bans licensed mental health providers from offering ‘cure’ or ‘conversion’ therapies.
Before the council unanimously passed the ordinance, it already had the support of the city’s mayor Ed Murray.
Those found in breach of the new ordinance would be liable for a $1,000 fine if they breach it.
It also bans the advertisement of conversion therapy.
“It’s absolutely offensive to me, that instead of providing these children, who are going through perhaps a moment of confusion … instead of providing them the support that they need, there are people out there who believe it’s appropriate to convince these children that their same-sex orientation is somehow a disease, or an illness, or something that can be cured” said Gonzalez.
Five US states have already banned the practice, California, New Jersey, Oregon, Illinois and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia.
Cincinnati, Ohio is the only other city to specifically ban the practice.
Hawaii also introduced legislation to ban the practice earlier this year.
The controversial practice seeks to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual.
It has been widely disproven, particularly by most major medical bodies. The American Psychological Association has stated that the practice can be damaging, and can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse.
Lawyers from the Liberty Counsel, who defended Kim Davis the clerk who refused to marry gay couples, said they would sue Palm Springs if the county moves to ban gay ‘cure’ therapies.
