Oregon bill banning 'ex-gay' therapy heads to governor's desk
Sun. May 10, 2015 9:33 AM by Carlos Santoscoy
Salem, OR -
Oregon is poised to become the third state, plus the District of Columbia, to prohibit therapies that attempt to alter the sexuality or gender identity of LGBT youth.
The bill, HB 2307, cleared the Oregon Senate on Thursday. House members approved the measure in March.
Governor Kate Brown, the nation's first openly bisexual governor, has not said whether she will sign the bill into law, however supporters believe she will.
Opponents have challenged similar laws in California and New Jersey. But the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to review lower court decisions upholding the bans.
(Related: Supreme Court won't hear challenge to New Jersey's ban on "ex-gay" therapy to minors.)
Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate, said that HRC will continue to push for similar therapy bans in other states.
"Psychological abuse has no place in therapy, no matter the intention," Warbelow said. "While the LGBT youth in Oregon will soon be protected once this bill is signed into law, HRC and our allies are committed to making sure these kinds of protections are secured in every state."
The bill, HB 2307, cleared the Oregon Senate on Thursday. House members approved the measure in March.
Governor Kate Brown, the nation's first openly bisexual governor, has not said whether she will sign the bill into law, however supporters believe she will.
Opponents have challenged similar laws in California and New Jersey. But the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to review lower court decisions upholding the bans.
(Related: Supreme Court won't hear challenge to New Jersey's ban on "ex-gay" therapy to minors.)
Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate, said that HRC will continue to push for similar therapy bans in other states.
"Psychological abuse has no place in therapy, no matter the intention," Warbelow said. "While the LGBT youth in Oregon will soon be protected once this bill is signed into law, HRC and our allies are committed to making sure these kinds of protections are secured in every state."
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine