Congressional Democrats on Monday reignited an effort to pass federal legislation outlawing the practice of conversion therapy, which is a scientifically discredited practice that aims to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, introduced Monday in the House by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) would make it unlawful to provide conversion therapy to any individual or promote efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill, which has 62 Democratic co-sponsors, would also make it illegal to knowingly assist or facilitate the administration of conversion therapy for financial gain. A companion bill in the Senate, introduced Monday by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), has 32 Democratic co-sponsors. Both measures have been endorsed by LGBTQ+ rights groups and mental health organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign and the American Psychological Association. The Congressional Equality Caucus has also endorsed the bill in both chambers. Twenty-one states and Washington, D.C., have enacted laws that ban conversion therapy for minors and five states have enacted partial bans. Three states — Alabama, Georgia, and Florida — are unable to enforce bans on conversion therapy because of an injunction in the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit that prevents them from doing so.
Home Happening Out Television Network Congressional Democrats Introduce Nation Wide Conversion Therapy Ban
