SALT LAKE CITY -- Two Republican lawmakers on Thursday proposed a ban on gay-conversion therapy for minors in conservative Utah, a plan that's been hailed as a milestone by advocates and won't be opposed by the influential Mormon church.
State Rep. Dan McCay acknowledged he isn't a typical sponsor for such a measure, but said it's an important way to support gay and transgender young people as suicides spike.
"This is the Utah we want. This the Utah we're all going to fight for, for the rest of our time so we deliver a place to you that you are welcome," he said.
The plan would prohibit any treatment aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity, which has ranged from talk therapy to practices like electric shock. Therapists who practice it could lose their licenses.
"Conversion therapy has been proven to be not effective, and is particularly harmful to youth," said chief sponsor Rep. Craig Hall.
The proposal comes during a national campaign to ban the practice, which is now outlawed in 15 states and the District of Columbia.
A Section on 02/22/2019