On LGBTQ Spirit Day, Latimer Signs Law Banning Conversion Therapy

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Joined by advocates, students and survivors, Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed into law a measure that bans the practice of conversion therapy on minors. Conversion therapy is the practice of trying to change an individual's sexual orientation. This measure was introduced to the Board of Legislators directly by Latimer and passed the Board unanimously, 17-0.

According to American Psychiatric Association, “same-sex orientation should not, and does not, need to be changed.” Further, the APA states that “efforts to do so represents a significant risk of harm by subjecting individuals to forms of treatment which have not been scientifically validated and undermines self-esteem.”

In a letter from the Psychiatric Society of Westchester to Latimer, the society wrote that “long-term consequences of ‘conversion therapy’ include increased risk of depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, social withdrawal and self-loathing. The Westchester Psychiatric Society thanks you for your leadership on this important issue and urges its passage and enactment.”

Latimer said he was proud to sign the measure into law on LGBTQ Spirit Day — a day meant to bring awareness to the disproportionate level of harassment faced by LGBTQ Youth.

"This practice is not acceptable, it is not legal and it is not right," he said. "We will make sure we do not stand for that here in Westchester County.”

Co-founder of the “Born Perfect” Campaign Mathew Shurka said he was proud to see Westchester County pass this bill because it hits close to home for him.

"As someone who went through this treatment for five years, this means a lot. I am one of 700,000 people in the U.S. who have been through conversion therapy, and it’s estimated that at least 57,000 teenagers will go through this in the next five years. This bill helps bring that number closer to zero,” Shurka said.

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Photo credit: Westchester County.