Ban LGBT Conversion Therapy in Maryland!
- by: Chris Wolverton
- recipient: Maryland Legislators, Maryland
Conversion therapy -- the attempt to change a patient's gender or sexual orientation -- hurts children and is ineffective. Unfortunately, only four states and the District of Columbia ban the destructive practice.
In 2014, Baltimore County Delegate John Cardin withdrew a bill he introduced to ban conversion therapy for minors. He, along with Equality Maryland, claimed that the bill was unnecessary because patients can file complaints with state health occupation boards. Of course, this puts all the responsibility on the patient, which is a lot for a minor to handle. Especially a minor who is being forced to go through therapy in hopes of changing sexual or gender orientation.
Much has changed in a short time. Other states passed bills to ban conversion therapy. In early February of this year, New York's governor Andrew Cuomo, in a historic move, announced plans to outlaw it in his state. Hopefully other states will now be more receptive to ending the dangerous therapy.
The American Psychological Association has discredited conversion therapy, linking it to destructive behaviors in children such as risky sexual activity, suicidal ideation and social withdraw. No matter what one's opinions are towards homosexuality, it is unethical to support a "therapy" proven to harm children. Please sign the petition to urge Maryland to revisit the issue and work towards banning conversion therapy in their state.
I am writing in hopes that you reconsider a ban on conversion therapy in your state.
Conversion therapy -- the attempt to change a patient's gender or sexual orientation -- hurts children and is ineffective. Unfortunately, only four states and the District of Columbia ban the destructive practice.
In 2014, Baltimore County Delegate John Cardin withdrew a bill he introduced to ban conversion therapy for minors. He, along with Equality Maryland, claimed that the bill was unnecessary because patients can file complaints with state health occupation boards. Of course, this puts all the responsibility on the patient, which is a lot for a minor to handle. Especially a minor who is being forced to go through therapy in hopes of changing sexual or gender orientation.
Much has changed in a short time. Other states passed bills to ban conversion therapy. In early February of this year, New York's governor Andrew Cuomo, in a historic move, announced plans to outlaw it in his state. Hopefully other states will now be more receptive to ending the dangerous therapy.
The American Psychological Association has discredited conversion therapy, linking it to destructive behaviors in children such as risky sexual activity, suicidal ideation and social withdraw. No matter what one's opinions are towards homosexuality, it is unethical to support a "therapy" proven to harm children. I respectfully urge you to revisit the issue and work towards banning conversion therapy in your state. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this petition.
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