Ban LGBT Conversion Therapy in Hawaii!
Hawaii legislators recently introduced a new bill that would ban conversion therapy for minors. Conversion therapy is a discredited practice that aims to change a homosexual or transgender person's sexual and/or gender identity. Supporters of the "treatment" believe that being gay is an illness that can be cured.
On February 6th, 2016, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made a historic executive move to prevent all state-operated and state-funded medical facilities from practicing conversion therapy on minors. He also introduced bans on health insurers covering the therapy. New York will join Oregon, California, Illinois and New Jersey as the few states that ban the harmful and ineffective "therapy." Hopefully, Cuomo's actions will inspire other legislators to follow his lead.
There is no reason to subject minors to therapy that aims to change their identity. The American Psychological Association (APA) found that conversion therapy leads to depression, stress, substance abuse, shame, suicidal ideation, social isolation and other negative feelings and behaviors. The APA has also found that conversion therapy is unlikely to reduce same-sex attraction.
Please sign the petition to urge Hawaii legislators to pass the bill to ban conversion therapy in their state!
I am excited that Hawaii legislators recently introduced a new bill that would ban conversion therapy for minors.
On February 6th, 2016, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made a historic executive move to prevent all state-operated and state-funded medical facilities from practicing conversion therapy on minors. He also introduced bans on health insurers covering the therapy. New York will join Oregon, California, Illinois and New Jersey as the few states that ban the harmful and ineffective "therapy." Hopefully, Cuomo's actions will inspire other legislators to follow his lead.
There is no reason to subject minors to therapy that aims to change their identity. The American Psychological Association (APA) found that conversion therapy leads to depression, stress, substance abuse, shame, suicidal ideation, social isolation and other negative feelings and behaviors. The APA has also found that conversion therapy is unlikely to reduce same-sex attraction.
I respectfully urge you to pass the bill to ban conversion therapy in your state. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this petition.
