Tell New York Senators to Ban Anti-LGBTQ Conversion Therapy and Pass the Pence Bill

Conversion therapy is a barbaric and unconscionable method believed to convert lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals into being straight. It involves psychologically unsound techniques such as emitting vomit while watching gay porn and electroshock treatment. Medical and psychological experts around the world have discredited conversion therapy along with some of the most reputable human rights and health organizations.

Studies show that there is absolutely no legitimate basis for conversion therapy:

• The American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973. The American Psychological Association and the National Association of Social Workers have debunked conversion therapy as junk science.
• Five states have already banned conversion therapy.
• LGBTQ teens are most at-risk for teenage suicide due to non-acceptance of their sexual orientation. They may also experience increased depression, anxiety, and trauma as a result of reparative therapies.
• In 2015, the United States Supreme Court held that same-sex marriage is a right nationwide in the landmark decision, Obergefell v. Hodges.

Recently, the Obama Administration publicly expressed disapproval of the homophobic practice, after a 17 year-old transgendered teen, Leelah Alcorn took her life. She tragically committed suicide in Ohio after her parents forced her to go through conversion counseling.

While these anti-gay reparative therapies have absolutely no clinical validation, every single mainstream mental health organization denounces this as an unethical practice among licensed mental health professionals around the world. In February, 2016, Governor Cuomo announced his own plan to discourage conversion therapy. Named after long-time supporter of conversion therapy, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, The Pence Bill proposes to ban all conversion therapy in New York State. The bill is currently stalled by a Republican senate.

Tell your Democratic Senators to apply pressure on passing the PENCE Bill.