Rep Kay Khan On Conversion Therapy Ban Signing

From MA House: State Representative Kay Khan (D-Newton) gathered with House and Senate leadership, her legislative colleagues, LGTBQ advocates, supporters, and members of the public for a ceremonial signing of the “Conversion Therapy Ban Bill,” or H.140, An Act relative to abusive practices to change sexual orientation and gender identity in minors, following a closed door bill signing by the Governor at 3:46pm on April 8, 2019. Advocates and supporters, alongside legislators, had the opportunity to sign an enlarged version of the bill in rainbow markers, as part of a community bill signing to celebrate the historic LGBTQ win.

“Today we must celebrate the accomplishments of every single advocate, constituent, parent, youth, medical professional, ally, legislator and association who fought alongside me to pass the Conversion Therapy Ban Bill,” said Representative Khan. “I am so proud that after many years of negotiations and advocacy, H.140 is now law, designed to protect underage LGTBQ youth from abusive therapeutic practices. During every step of the legislative process, we worked to protect all LGBTQ children in the Commonwealth, raising the stakes and educating the Legislature and members of the public about this bipartisan and necessary protection. Everyone who had a stake in this fight was invited to sign the bill themselves because they deserve to celebrate this continued commitment to LGBTQ rights.”

“The House is proud to stand with the LGBTQ community voting to ban the use of conversion therapy amongst our young and vulnerable residents – a cruel and harmful activity," saidSpeaker DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “This practice – rooted in bigotry with absolutely no scientific basis – can impose long-term detrimental health effects. I would like to thank Governor Baker, Senate President Spilka and especially Chair Khan for her dedication to this issue, and acknowledge the hard work of Leader Peake and Chair Michlewitz to move this legislation.”

“I am proud of the Senate’s effort to protect children from the harmful and abusive practices that comprise so-called ‘conversion therapy,’” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-2ndMiddlesex and Norfolk). “Banning practices that try to change or limit gender expression and sexual orientation is a necessary step towards validating and protecting children in the Commonwealth, and letting our residents be who they are. The Senate’s commitment to our children never wavered, and I am excited to stand with friends, colleagues and advocates as this bill is signed into law.”

The nation’s leading professional and mental health organizations universally condemn conversion therapy methods, which put youth at high risk of depression, anxiety and suicidality. A large coalition of over twenty organizations in Massachusetts gathered at the community bill signing, including: GLAD, National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts, MassEquality, the ACLU of Massachusetts, the Boston Bar Association, the Children’s League of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Psychological Association, Massachusetts Psychiatric Society, and more.

“We are deeply grateful for the House and Senate leadership and especially Representative Khan for working so hard to protect young LGTBQs from the cruel and abusive practice of conversion therapy,” said Arline Isaacson, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus.

H.140 passed the House by a vote of 147/8 and the Senate by a vote of 34/0. Governor Charlie Baker was not able to attend.