COLORADO: Senate State Affairs Committee Kills Ex-Gay Torture Ban For The Third Consecutive Year

Via press release from One Colorado:

Today, a Colorado senate committee — for the third year in a row — killed a bill that would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) young people by banning the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy. One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families, released the following statement from Political Director, Laura “Pinky” Reinsch, on the defeat of this House Bill 1156.

“Today, Republicans on the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee had yet another chance to do right by LGBTQ young people in our state. Instead — for the third year in a row — legislators have chosen politics over banning a harmful, discredited, and dangerous practice that attempts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“This bill would have safeguarded LGBTQ minors from being subjected to harmful and abusive practices trying to change who they are or who they love. LGBTQ young people who undergo this so-called “therapy” are proven to be at risk of long-term depression, guilt, rejection, and even a heightened risk for suicide.

“Despite the fact nearly all of the leading mental health organizations in the country, and in Colorado, reject the practice of conversion therapy, the Republican members of the committee chose to disregard science and the heartbreaking, emotional stories of those who came to testify in support of the ban.

Two weeks ago the state House approved the ban for the third consecutive year.