Michigan Conversion Therapy Ban Moves Forward After House Vote
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s promise to end conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ minors in Michigan is one step closer to reality after a vote in the Michigan House of Representatives Wednesday.
The House voted 56-53 along party lines on two bills introduced by Rep. Jason Hoskins and Rep. Felicia Brabec aimed at prohibiting state-licensed providers from using harmful conversion therapy techniques on minors. In a statement, Equality Michigan said, “With 15% of Michigan's LGBTQ+ youth reporting being threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy, this historic effort to end conversion therapy is literally life-saving for LGBTQ+ young people in our state.”
“Michigan's LGBTQ+ youth should be free from needless attacks and torture, and deserve to live in a state where they can be healthy, safe, and reach their full potential,” the statement continues. "
This legislation, introduced by Rep. Jason Hoskins and Rep. Felicia Brabec, is an important step in making Michigan a safer place for LGBTQ+ youth and their families."
On its website, HRC rails against the practice, defining conversation therapy, sometimes called "reparative therapy" as "a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Such practices have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades, but due to continuing discrimination and societal bias against LGBTQ people, some practitioners continue to conduct conversion therapy."
Rep. Sharon MacDonell responded to the news on Twitter, tweeting, “I just joined all of my Democratic colleagues to ban so-called conversion therapy in Michigan. Banning this dangerous practice will save kids' lives and show LGBT youth across the country that Michigan welcomes them.
I just joined all of my Democratic colleagues to ban so-called conversion therapy in Michigan. Banning this dangerous practice will save kids' lives and show LGBT youth across the country that Michigan welcomes them. #NoHateInMIState #mileg pic.twitter.com/tZMif0Gshe
— Representative Sharon MacDonell (@RepMacDonell) June 14, 2023
The bills will head to the state Senate next and are expected to pass. Gov. Whitmer is expected to sign the ban into law in the coming weeks.
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