Antonio, Maharath Urge DeWine to Ban Conversion Therapy
July 16, 2021
Nickie J. Antonio News
Today, state Senators Tina Maharath (D-Canal Winchester) and Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) sent a letter to Governor DeWine urging him to follow the leadership of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (DFL-MIN) and issue an executive order to make Ohio the 22nd state in the country to ban the discredited practice of conversion therapy.
“Conversion therapy does not work and is often deeply traumatic for those who undergo it, especially for minors. It reinforces the idea that LGBTQ people should be ashamed of who they are and can lead to lower self-esteem, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts,” the senators explained.
According to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, LGBTQ youth are approximately three times more likely to contemplate suicide and about five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to heterosexual youth.
“Research shows this disparity can be attributed to the social stigmas and discrimination that LBGTQ youth face. We should not be allowing a practice that reinforces these stigmas to be inflicted on the children of Ohio,” the senators wrote in their letter.
Conversion therapy is already banned in 21 states and the District of Columbia. It has been disavowed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology, the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the National Association of Social Workers, and many other respected medical organizations.
You can read the full letter here.
“Conversion therapy does not work and is often deeply traumatic for those who undergo it, especially for minors. It reinforces the idea that LGBTQ people should be ashamed of who they are and can lead to lower self-esteem, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts,” the senators explained.
According to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, LGBTQ youth are approximately three times more likely to contemplate suicide and about five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to heterosexual youth.
“Research shows this disparity can be attributed to the social stigmas and discrimination that LBGTQ youth face. We should not be allowing a practice that reinforces these stigmas to be inflicted on the children of Ohio,” the senators wrote in their letter.
Conversion therapy is already banned in 21 states and the District of Columbia. It has been disavowed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology, the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the National Association of Social Workers, and many other respected medical organizations.
You can read the full letter here.