Michigan bans use of ‘conversion therapy’ on LGBTQ+ youth
Michigan has banned the use of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ on LGBTQ+ youth, becoming the 22nd US state to outlaw the harmful practice. “As a mom of a member of the community and a proud, lifelong ally, I’m grateful that today we’re banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy in Michigan,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer wrote on Twitter on 26 July. “In doing so, we are taking action to make Michigan a more welcoming, inclusive place.” The legislation, which was signed on 26 July, defines ‘conversion therapy’ as any practice or treatment by a mental health professional that seeks to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Approximately 15 per cent of LGBTQ+ minors in Michigan have been threatened with or subjected to ‘conversion therapy’ as of last year, according to The Trevor Project. READ MORE: 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people have experienced ‘conversion’ practices, study finds Kasey Suffredini, the organisation’s Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs, said: “LGBTQ young people deserve to live authentically as who they are and the passage of these bills profoundly reaffirms this fundamental value and serves as a beacon of hope for LGBTQ young people in Michigan and beyond. “We applaud the state lawmakers for taking swift action in implementing these protections and building on the incredible bipartisan momentum of similar advances this year like in Minnesota to eliminate the harms of conversion ‘therapy’ nationwide.” The state’s ban was approved by the Michigan Senate in June at a vote of 21-15, with one Republican siding with the Democrats.
Republicans opposing the bill argued that the legislation could interfere with the work of mental health professionals, though the law does not prohibit
