News & Stories

May 17, 2019

Star Tribune: Readers Write About Conversion Therapy

In this day and age, it is absurd to think that a ban on conversion therapy for vulnerable adults and minors is even being debated. But just last week, Minnesota lawmakers argued over a ban on therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation, and the ban did not pass (“Political is personal on gay ‘conversion,’ ” front page, May 11).

More than 100 protesters sang and cheered in the State Capitol last month as House representatives discussed an amendment regarding conversion therapy. Minnesota has not banned the practice. Photo by Glen Stubbe of the Star Tribune.

May 17, 2019

City Pages: In Minnesota, loving thy neighbor means banning gay conversion therapy on kids

As a Christian and the spiritual leader of a large Minneapolis congregation, I believe we are called by Holy Scripture and the example of Jesus to “love our neighbors as ourselves” and to stand with the most vulnerable among us. That includes LGBTQ youth coming of age and discovering who they are in communities and households often hostile to them.

"Some young people are being forced by desperate parents to undergo a widely discredited therapy." A rainbow flag waves in front of the sun. (Getty)

May 17, 2019

MPR News: Capitol View: Advocates rally for 11th-hour conversion therapy ban

Supporters of a conversion therapy ban in Minnesota flooded a Senate office building on Wednesday in a last-minute attempt to lobby Republican senators to support a bill stopping the practice
The proposal would prohibit mental health practitioners and professionals from any practice “that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity,” including attempts to “reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.”

May 17, 2019

Inforum: Letter: Conversion therapy does not work and inflicts long-term harmful effects

My name is Jory. I am the son of third-generation North Dakota farmers. I had a beautiful childhood filled with love and compassion. However, when I was 15, in 2009, everything changed when my parents found photos of male models in my room.

May 3, 2019

On Top Magazine: 'Ex-Gay' Therapy Ban Clears Minnesota House

A bill that seeks to prohibit therapies that attempt to alter the sexual orientation or gender identity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth cleared the Minnesota House on Thursday.

May 3, 2019

MPR News: MN House adds conversion therapy ban to big health bill

The Minnesota House has taken a stand against conversion therapy, a practice used to try to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Lawmakers voted 72-53 Thursday to include a statewide ban of the therapy on minors in a larger health and human services bill.

DFL Rep. Hunter Cantrell spoke at a rally at the Minnesota Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. Evan Frost | MPR News

May 1, 2019

Junior's Story: Surviving Conversion Therapy

Watch a video of Junior talking about his traumatic experience with conversion "therapy."

April 19, 2019

StarTribune: Omar rallies support for bill banning gay conversion therapy

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Rep. Ilhan Omar has rallied LGBTQ youth in support of a Minnesota bill to ban gay conversion therapy for minors or vulnerable adults.

Omar spoke Thursday on the state Capitol steps to a crowd that marched from OutFront Minnesota's seventh annual Youth Summit at Saint Paul College.

The Minnesota Democrat called gay conversion therapy "torture" and said it should no longer be a legal practice in Minnesota or in any other state.

Omar was a co-sponsor of a similar bill when she was in the Minnesota House. She was elected to Congress in November.

Minneapolis Democrat Scott Dibble, the only openly gay Minnesota senator, urged the crowd to meet with their legislators, fight for change and run for office.

The American Psychological Association opposes therapy seeking to change sexual orientation.

U.S. Rep Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks to support LGBTQ and allied high school students from across the state of Minnesota who marched to the State Capitol steps Thursday, March 21, 2019 in St. Paul, Minn. to urge lawmakers to protect LGBTQ Minnesotans and youth from the effects of so-called conversion "therapy."

April 19, 2019

StarTribune: Counterpoint: Minnesota should restrict conversion 'therapy'

It is time for Minnesota to pass the Mental Health Protections Act and join the 15 other states that have already restricted the dangerous practice of conversion therapy. Nearly half of those states had bipartisan support. Let's unite as Minnesotans to protect vulnerable LGBTQ youth.

April 19, 2019

Shakopee Valley News: Letter: Time to ban conversion "therapy" in Minnesota

Conversion "therapy" is a torturous practice that aims to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. This leads to serious harm, mostly in our young people, like depression, suicide, abuse of substances and PTSD. I've been standing arm-in-arm with conversion therapy survivors, faith leaders, doctors, and mental health practitioners to make sure our lawmakers put an end to this practice and protect LGBTQ Minnesotans.