Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
Wed Jun 11, 2014, 10:00 AM Jun 2014

New York weighs kids' gay conversion therapy ban


By JOSEFA VELASQUEZ | Updated 8 hours ago

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A proposed ban against New York health professionals trying to change a child's sexual orientation through therapy comes too late for Matthew Shurka, a 26-year-old Long Island man who says he remains emotionally scarred from five years of attempts to "cure" his homosexuality.

"My anxiety was at its worst," Shurka said of the therapy that began when he was 16. "I never attempted suicide, but I had a lot of suicidal thoughts and dreams and thinking about it, considering it."

The American Psychological Association says that there is no evidence that the so-called gay conversion therapy can change someone's sexual orientation. A task force set up by the group found that it can cause distress and anxiety.

New York's Democratic-led Assembly is set to consider a bill on Wednesday that would ban the therapy on minors. Bans against gay conversion therapy have already gone into law in New Jersey and California. A proposed ban was voted down in Illinois in April.

http://www.fltimes.com/news/state/article_9e00e102-328d-5801-8c8b-ddb2fa229d33.html?mode=jqm
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
New York weighs kids' gay conversion therapy ban (Original Post) hrmjustin Jun 2014 OP
Note to health professionals: If you can't turn them gay, you can't turn them straight. Arkansas Granny Jun 2014 #1
Well said! hrmjustin Jun 2014 #2

Arkansas Granny

(31,483 posts)
1. Note to health professionals: If you can't turn them gay, you can't turn them straight.
Wed Jun 11, 2014, 10:07 AM
Jun 2014

These kids have a hard enough time growing up without someone trying to change something so fundamental about themselves that they have no control over.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»New York»New York weighs kids' gay...