Gay 'Conversion Therapy' Outlawed in Illinois

In Illinois, licensed mental health professionals will no longer be able to treat their minor patients using “conversion therapy” methods.

A bill prohibiting the practice, introduced by State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago and later chief Senate sponsor Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, was signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday.

“These so-called ‘therapies’ treat homosexuality as a disease,” said Biss. “They’re out of date and can be deeply destructive to youth. Outlawing these practices is a small step in our pursuit for LGBT rights, but it’s an extremely important step in protecting young people in Illinois.”

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Under the new law, youth can still get counseling to discuss concerns or thoughts about their sexuality. However, therapists and other professionals, if licensed by the state, may not try to change a minor’s orientation.

“Our version of this legislation is the most comprehensive bill in the nation, barring health providers from engaging in this practice and affording survivors access to consumer fraud action against the perpetrators of this abuse,” Cassidy said in a statement.

The bill “provides that no person or entity may, in the conduct of any trade or commerce, use or employ any deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, misrepresentation, or the concealment, suppression, or omission of any material fact in advertising or otherwise offering conversion therapy services in a manner that represents homosexuality as a mental disease, disorder, or illness, with intent that others rely upon the concealment, suppression, or omission of such material fact.”

The law will take effect on Jan. 1. Violators will face discipline from their state licensing board.

Illinois is the fourth state to ban gay conversion therapy, joining California, New Jersey, Oregon and the District of Columbia, according to the Huffington Post.