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House votes to ban “conversion therapy”

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Illinois

* From a press release…

State Representative Kelly Cassidy shepherded HB 217 to House approval Tuesday, moving Illinois closer to banning sexual orientation conversion therapy, a practice deemed disastrous for the well being of children by every prominent mental health organization.

“This archaic form of so-called treatment is based on an outdated and flawed philosophy that greatly increases the risk of suicide and mental anguish to the children who are forced to participate” Rep. Cassidy (D-Chicago) said. “I join a coalition of professional mental health organizations in applauding the passage of the bill.”

The legislation prohibits licensed mental health providers from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts, codifying the codes of ethics for mental health providers.

“The practice violates the basic Hippocratic oath of Do No Harm,” said Dr. Scott Leibowitz, Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for the Gender and Sex Development Program at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. “Promoting stigma and shame, rather than acceptance and support goes against the fundamental principles of our practice and poses a unique and serious danger to children.”

The bill passed with a vote of 68-43 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

* Excerpt from an Equality Illinois release…

The bill passed 68 to 43, with 61 Democrats and seven Republicans voting to protect the LGBT youth of Illinois, including the House Republican leader Rep. Jim Durkin among the “yes” votes. The roll call continues the history in Illinois of all laws that advance LGBT equality succeeding due to votes from both parties.

“The fact that there was a bipartisan vote in favor of the bill in the House demonstrates that this is again not an issue based on political affiliation but on doing what is right for Illinois children. We hope that Senate Democrats and Republicans will similarly give serious consideration to supporting the bill and that Gov. Bruce Rauner will sign it.”

Equality Illinois and allied organizations have held two meetings with Gov. Rauner about the issue, and he expressed concern about the therapy’s effect on young people.

The bill prohibits licensed mental health care providers from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with anyone under the age of 18. Sexual orientation change efforts are defined by the bill as any treatment or practice that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Such practices can negatively impact the mental and physical health of LGBT youth. For instance, LGBT youth who experience rejection and social stigmatization are more likely to have high levels of depression, more likely to engage in substance abuse, and more likely to attempt suicide.

Every major mental health organization in Illinois supports HB 217, including the Illinois Psychological Association, Illinois Psychiatric Society, American Psychoanalytic Association, Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The legislation does not apply to religious leaders and would not impact the ability of clergy to practice their religion. Similar legislation is now law in California, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia, and the Oregon legislature has sent a bill to the governor. Also, the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge to the New Jersey law.

The bill passed without debate.

* The Illinois Family Institute displayed its usual outrage…

Yesterday afternoon in an appalling disregard for children’s mental health, parental rights and religious liberty, the Illinois House voted 68 to 43 to pass HB 217, a bill to ban reparative therapy for children who suffer from unwanted same-sex attraction disorder. This bill was introduced by LBGTQ activist and State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). The bill received eight more votes than the sixty needed to pass!

This is an unmitigated disaster for children and families! It is a shame that not one conservative lawmaker challenged this proposal during floor debate. Not one lawmaker defended children and free speech from the tyranny of Leftists who demand we act, speak and think according to the dictates of their beliefs. Not one lawmaker reminded their colleagues that by diminishing the right to live out our faith, they are establishing the religion of secularism which the First Amendment decisively prohibits.

While a number of representatives were excused from session that afternoon, it is disappointing to report that seven Republicans sided with this pro-homosexual, anti-parental rights, anti-religious liberty legislation, including: State Representatives Dan Brady (Normal), Tim Butler (Springfield), Michael McAuliffe (Chicago), Bob Pritchard (Sycamore), Deputy “Leader” David Leitch (Peoria), and Assistant Republican “Leader” Ed Sullivan (Mundelein), who also voted to pass same-sex “marriage” in November 2013. Even Republican Minority “Leader” Jim Durkin (Burr Ridge) voted to further the devastation of families who have members struggling with the issue of unwanted same-sex attraction.

However, a number of Democrats did not support this radical agenda, including State Representatives Kate Cloonen (Kankakee), Jerry Costello (Red Bud),Anthony DeLuca (Chicago Heights), Brandon Phelps (Harrisburg), Larry Walsh Jr. (Joliet) and even Assistant Majority Leader John Bradley (Marion).

IFI is grateful for the moral clarity displayed by these and other members of the Illinois House of Representatives who opposed HB 217.

The bill now moves to the Illinois Senate, the more liberal chamber. Unless an outpouring of prayers, along with many visits and calls are made to senators’ local district offices, this bill will likely become law.

We are seeing an unprecedented attack on Illinois families, parental rights and religious liberty by the people who are repeatedly elected back into their positions of authority. Are you registered to vote? Do you vote?

If people of faith do not step out of their comfort zone and speak loudly and publicly; at the very least with their vote, we are assuredly leaving a legacy of tyranny and evil for our children and grandchildren.

* Rep. Tom Morrison explains his “No” vote…

2. By restricting counseling options, HB 217 falsely sets lawmakers up as medical experts.

This bill claims that it’s always wrong for minors to seek counseling if they’re confused about their sexual orientation.

Page 8 of the bill says that type of counseling is allowed, “under no circumstances.” That means the minor cannot turn to a professional counselor for help, even if he or she is the one who desires to talk about unwanted sexual feelings one way or another.

Many of the bill’s sponsors would argue in reproductive health care that it is not the government’s place to come between a patient and his or her doctor.

Why is this different?

* But, in reality, there may not be much activity to ban, according to the Tribune…

It’s unclear how common the practice is in Illinois. Supporters of a ban largely point to anecdotal evidence from people who have come forward to share their stories. Cassidy said she was unaware of any specific places practicing the therapy but said she has spoken to several “survivors.”

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which oversees mental health providers, reported that it received one complaint related to the therapy in 2012. It was filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has fought conversion therapy across the country. The state agency found no cause to discipline the therapist.

Sam Wolfe, a civil rights attorney at the law center, said it’s difficult to quantify how pervasive conversion therapy is in Illinois because conversion therapists operate through referral services and word of mouth instead of explicit advertising because of blowback in recent years.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:14 pm

Comments

While I think this is sensible legistlation, where is the budget?

Comment by Tone Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:20 pm
Sandack signed on as a chief-co but then voted N?

huh?

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:25 pm
==- Tone - Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:20 pm:==

You might want to think that comment through again. This doesn’t cost the state any money.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:28 pm
Good. Too bad it can’t do more about other “Godly” practices towards LGBT teens like throwing them out of their homes or driving them to suicide at an alarming rate. And who is this behavior really “unwanted” by? The teens, or more likely the parents? I am a firm believer that we are all born with certain characteristics and issues we have to face. It’s how we deal with them that defines who we are.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:29 pm
Morrison is correct.

But whatever - you can’t question it anymore without looking like a dreaded unfashionable stereotype. You want a public image that isn’t hounded into purgatory? The die has been cast. Pretend they are right and move on.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:31 pm
I think Tome meant where is the state’s budget, not a budget for this bill.

Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:34 pm
sorry, “Tone”

Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:34 pm
“they are establishing the religion of secularism which the First Amendment decisively prohibits.”

I laughed so so hard about this sentence! Wow…IFI lost total bowel control over this.

But seriously, it’s fine to me that they passed this but with so few instances of actual cases it makes me think that this is the Left’s equivalent to anti Sharia law bills. It’s not quite that bad but approaching. My point is that this is obviously not the most important nut to crack.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:39 pm
PG, a re-reading shows that you are probably correct. From that point, I would just say that legislators should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:39 pm
==- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:31 pm:==

Would Tom Morrison vote to ban abortion in a heartbeat? Yes he would, so why on such issues does he falsely set himself up as a medical expert?

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:41 pm
Peoria Guy is correct.

Comment by Tone Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:41 pm
I disagree with this bill on religious grounds.

Comment by john a logan Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:42 pm
==Morrison is correct.==

No, Morrison is wrong. The bill specifically states that it is appropriate to seek counseling about sexual orientation and gender identity. It says that counseling services can’t be based on the premise that changing a person’s sexual orientation should be the desired outcome of such counseling.

Comment by OldSmoky2 Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:48 pm
you can’t question it anymore without looking like a dreaded unfashionable stereotype. You want a public image that isn’t hounded into purgatory? The die has been cast. Pretend they are right and move on.

A sign that perhaps, just perhaps, opposition to civil rights for gay people wasn’t actually a deeply-held, fundamental moral belief in the first place.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:48 pm
I think the IFI writes its fundraising letter first then writes it’s press release. This should really help with raising money.

Comment by Annon3 Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Of course there is a slight dig at the IFI and not EI. What a waste of time and taxpayer money.

Comment by William Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:53 pm
Yes he would, so why on such issues does he falsely set himself up as a medical expert?

You don’t need to be any expert to understand that abortion ends the development cycle of a human being’s life. Just blind to science.

As to the conversion therapy - I’ve answered that.
“Whatever”

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:54 pm
====From that point, I would just say that legislators should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.=====

I wish that were so!

Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:55 pm
“By restricting counseling options, HB 217 falsely sets lawmakers up as medical experts.”

VanillaMan, you and Morrison are dead wrong. Read the entire text of the bill and then reread this claim.

“Conversion therapy” is not medical in any way. There is not one medical or professional association that endorses it.

It certainly is within the power of the state to prohibit quacks from soliciting unhappy parents to use minors as guinea pigs for faux medical interventions that have been proven harmful and thus are rejected by the entire medical community.

Here’s hoping you and Morrison cotton to the idea that the General Assembly can also prohibit using leeches on kids, if it so chooses.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:55 pm
Just NOT blind to science.
treppenwitze!

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:57 pm
==- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 12:54 pm:==

You’re the one blind to science on abortion and conversion therapy.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:22 pm
While it’s posted as an ‘excerpt’, the portions shared of the Equality Illinois release demonstrates a more measured and less hyperbolic approach than we’ve seen from them before. That is certainly welcome. They may have learned lately that they are getting the benefit of the doubt in the public debate and a reasoned, less rhetorically approach is more helpful.

If that is the case, I applaud them.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:33 pm
Didn’t Tom Morrison sponsor legislation that mimicked Kansas’ uber-restrictive burdens on women’s clinics like how wide hallways have to be, etc.?

Why yes. Yes he did pretend to be a “medical expert” back in 2012 when he sponsored HB 4117.

He also sponsored HB 4085 that same year which would’ve forced actual doctors to perform unnecessary medical procedures on women AND then report on those procedures in state records.

Did he take the “Hypocritical” Oath?

Comment by Ghostbusters Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:34 pm
meant to say “rhetorically charged”. Sorry

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:34 pm
It’s ironic to me that the Illinois Family Institute (which is really funny since they don’t seem to represent all families) comes off hateful most of the time. It’s really sad that an organization that is supposedly Christian would act in a most un-Christian manner. The way that the speak when it comes to homosexuals is appalling to me.

Also, I really am getting tired of people claiming that their religious liberties are being violated. That is just bull. It seems that any time somebody does something that offends this group of people they issue the “infringement on religious liberty” battle cry. It’s nonsense. And it needs to stop.

The IFI should be ashamed of themselves for their rhetoric. I think they are a borderline hate group when it comes to homosexuality.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:36 pm
Does this bill prohibit dangerous methods of therapy or any and ALL therapy that could help a person who wishes to overcome same-sex attraction? If a person wants that, he can’t get it in the state of IL? Is that what I understand?

Comment by Weekly Reader Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:36 pm
Wow VMan. Playing the victim today I see.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:38 pm
It appears the bill is designed to protect those under 18 from such therapies, not adults who can choose for themselves, though the effectiveness of such therapies remains highly questionable.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:54 pm
So does this also ban “treatment” or “counseling” for confused individuals who believe their mental sexual identity is different from their biological sexual identity?

What about those who can go both ways but want to learn how to restrain behavior contrary to their biology? Will they have to flee the state to get the help they need?

Much of mental health is about behavior modification, be it for unwanted sexual issues, drug abuse or violence. It seem that prohibiting treatment for the unwanted sexual behavior issues is no more morally acceptable than helping a drug addict get off his habit.

It seems the LGBT community regards those confused young people as “theirs” from reading these statements. It seems they don’t like a fair presentation to young people of perhaps better alternatives than the LGBT lifestyle. No surprise there.

Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 1:58 pm
The Sandack thing was apparently a clerical error.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:25 pm
==It seems they don’t like a fair presentation to young people of perhaps better alternatives than the LGBT lifestyle.==

There is no “LGBT lifestyle.” There are diverse LGBTs who live all the different lifestyles everyone else lives, career-wise, relationship-wise, family-wise, economically, etc.
As for your questions about the bill itself, go read the bill. It specifically allows responsible counseling for people with questions or issues related to sexual orientation, sexual practices, and gender identity.

Comment by OldSmoky2 Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:29 pm
“Same-sex attraction disorder.” “Lifestyle.” Says it all right there for IFI, Arizona Bob, VMan, etc’s ignorance. As a parent of a young LGBT person, these sorts of statements put me into full seething mama-bear mode.

Homosexuality is NOT A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, NOT A CHOICE, and is NOT SOMETHING NEEDING TREATMENT by any quacks preying on the bank accounts and the ignorance of some misguided parents.

This was a good vote for Illinois.

Comment by Midwest Mom Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:30 pm
The Illinois Family Institutes Senior Phrenologist stood up to halt this law from going forward….

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:31 pm
The Southern Poverty Law Center considers IFI a hate group.

Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:34 pm
Well said Midwest Mom. The bottom line should be these therapies are potentially harmful and there’s no proof they work. It’s a medical ethics issue and since they charge for it a fraud issue. Come back with some peer reviewed studies and maybe there’s room for discussion here. I’m not going to hold my breath, however, since I firmly believe sexual orientation is genetic and not something that needs to be or can be “fixed.”

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:57 pm
=Ghost Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:31 pm: The Illinois Family Institutes Senior Phrenologist stood up to halt this law from going forward…=

I love this.

Comment by Creative Nickname Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:58 pm
What a waste of time this legislation is. It does nothing but allow both sides to pander to their bases and drum up support. Meanwhile, Rome continues to burn.

Comment by econ prof Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 3:00 pm
== Midwest Mom - Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:30 pm:===

MM, you love your child unconditionally. That therapy is the best, proved over centuries, and you don’t need a legislature to debate it.

It matters not what anyone else thinks.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 3:08 pm
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 2:25 pm:
== The Sandack thing was apparently a clerical error. ==

Which was the error?

Being added as “Chief Co-Sponsor” or the “No” vote?

Comment by Bill White Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 3:16 pm
He’s not a chief co.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 3:18 pm
==It seems the LGBT community regards those confused young people as “theirs” from reading these statements. It seems they don’t like a fair presentation to young people of perhaps better alternatives than the LGBT lifestyle. No surprise there.==

Then I’m sure you’re relieved to know, Arizona Bob, that the IL House just passed a bill (HB217 - Cassidy) that will prohibit the LGBT Community from counseling “confused kids” into turning gay.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 3:21 pm
HoneyBear:

==“they are establishing the religion of secularism which the First Amendment decisively prohibits.”==

“I laughed so so hard about this sentence! Wow…IFI lost total bowel control over this.”

Me too. Makes one wonder if the IFI folks understand the English language.

Comment by walker Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 3:29 pm
Interesting. Thanks for the info, Rich.

Very sorry to see Sandack is reversing on one of his better features.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 3:29 pm
–Pretend they are right and move on.–

Why’s that, dude? You’re not going to win Miss Congeniality, anyway. Have the courage of your convictions and make your case.

Guy, glad you find something to “applaud” in the “measured” and “less hyperbolic” response from the Usual Suspects.

I guess you didn’t read it or you don’t understand what those words mean.

Good on the House for keeping those freaky quacks from preying on children. On to the Senate.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 3:50 pm
– I disagree with this bill on religious grounds.–

Yeah, well, some of we the people are down on sharia law in the great melting pot.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 4:08 pm
I’m simply gobsmacked! I just read this whole thread and not once was Marcus Bachman’s name mentioned. He’s made millions billing the government for his sham “conversion therapy” factory in Minnesota. His equally scientifically literate wife actually ran for President of the United States. Now that’s a first family the IFI could rally around.

Comment by Scholar athlete Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 5:46 pm
Crazybleedingheart, modern medicine does use leeches to prevent blood pooling in extremities. It can prevent cauliflower ear and the loss of a finger.
One problem of writing medical procedures into law is that medicine may change faster than the law. Sharia courts have held a child can be the legitimate offspring of a husband who died five years earlier. Not an outcome supported by science.
If there were an effective way to change sexual orientation, should parents be forbidden from using it? It seems this law does not forbid conversion “therapy “. It forbids calling it medicine. What if it is called exorcism? Still banned?

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, May 20, 15 @ 9:00 pm
I would have voted NO. If the child and parent want this type of therapy they should be allowed access to it.

Comment by Jon Zahm Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 1:00 am