City Council considers ban on ‘conversion therapy’ in Seattle

[TexasTowelie]

The Seattle City Council is considering an ordinance that would ban mental-health counselors from using so-called “conversion therapy” to try to make gay youth straight.

The legislation proposed by Councilmember M. Lorena González would make the practice of conversion therapy on minors by licensed medical or mental-health professionals punishable by fines of up to $1,000. It would also prohibit the advertising of conversion therapy.

“For many years, in cities and states throughout the country, a variety of organizations and therapists have claimed that they can use talk therapy to successfully ‘treat’ same sex attractions and make a person straight,” says a memo from the council’s central staff to the council’s civil rights committee, which will take up González’s proposal Tuesday.

“Though some people claim to be cured of their homosexuality, professional medical and mental-health organizations have taken the position that conversion therapy is ineffective and can be harmful, particularly to minors.”

Read more: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/city-council-considers-ban-on-conversion-therapy-in-seattle/

[scscholar]

1. Is this even happening in the city?

How about trying to get us reliable power first, mine was out twice this week, or faster than dial-up Internet access? I have too many friends in the city limits of Seattle that are still stuck with dial-up or ISDN.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Apparently a bill was proposed that would ban gay conversion therapy

statewide and passed the House, but stalled in the Senate. Since the city does not have the power to sanction the licenses of psychiatrists the proposal is occurring at the municipal level.

[shenmue]

3. This should have been done a long time ago

This anti-gay crap is unscientific and dangerous.