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[Saint Paul] Minnesotans, continuing the fight to end the fraudulent and dangerous practice known as conversion therapy, held a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol as part of a full day of LGBTQ lobbying and workshops. Hundreds of Minnesotans from across the state came together to meet with their legislators to fight for equity for LGBTQ Minnesotans and to demand a stop to conversion “therapy.”

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.

A ban addressing the controversial practice of gay conversion therapy has passed through its first House committee.

A statewide bill banning conversion therapy, a controversial practice aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation, has passed its first obstacle, but debates about religious liberties and health care are only beginning to heat up.

The proposed legislation written by Rep. Hunter Cantrell, DFL-Savage, passed through the Health and Human Services Policy Committee earlier this month. It requires licensed counselors and therapists to outline that conversion therapy is deemed ineffective by major medical organizations. The ban does not apply to pastoral counseling.

Nearly all major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and American Psychological Association, have denounced conversion therapy, stating it is not grounded in scientific reasoning and can be detrimental to patients."