Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick of the 66th Assembly District in Manhattan announces the Assembly passage of her bill, A3977/S263. “I am grateful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle once again stood up to protect New York’s minors from coercive and harmful practices,” said Glick.
This bill will protect minors from so-called “conversion therapists” who engage in dangerous and discredited practices in attempts to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of their patients. Under this legislation, any licensed mental health practitioner who engages in so-called conversion therapy with a minor will be guilty of professional misconduct.
This ineffective and pernicious therapy attempts to alter the sexual orientation of an individual through methods such as electro-shock therapy. These pseudoscientific practices have been discredited and rejected by all of the major psychological associations including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. All have issued position papers rejecting the dangers and risks to the mental health of patients.
“Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is not a deficiency in need of treatment,” stated Glick. “Our children must be protected from this discriminatory and damaging practice that masquerades as a legitimate mental health treatment. I call on the State Senate to do the right thing and join the Assembly by sending this crucial bill to the Governor’s desk,” concluded Glick.
