Via press release from Democratic National Committee:
Today, Democratic Governor Jay Inslee signed into law a bill banning licensed therapists from attempting conversion therapy on minors. Washington becomes the 11th state in the nation to ban the practice. In response, DNC LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta issued the following statement:
“Today, Washington State takes a huge step forward in protecting LGBTQ children by banning this backwards practice, which not only puts the lives of LGBTQ children at risk, but has been rejected by the medical community time and again.
“It would not have been possible for Governor Inslee to sign this bill into law without the support of the new Democratic state Senate. Last fall, Washington voters elected Manka Dhingra to the state Senate, which flipped control of the chamber and gave Democrats full control of the state government. In just a few months, Washington Democrats expanded protections for the LGBTQ community and fought for voting rights, equal pay, gun safety and net neutrality.
“The DNC was proud to invest in the Washington Democratic Party to support their efforts in electing Democrats up and down the ballot, including Manka Dhingra’s bid for the Washington state Senate. When Democrats lead with our values, organize early and reach voters in every ZIP code – we win.”
RELATED: The Maryland Senate today also banned ex-gay torture in a 34-12 vote. The bill now goes to the Maryland House.
Gov. Jay Inslee about to sign state ban on so-called “gay conversion therapy.” “We will be protecting our children,” says @GovInslee #waleg pic.twitter.com/zEwzedL7MM
— Drew Mikkelsen (@drewmikkelsenk5) March 28, 2018
Washington state just enacted a ban on so-called ‘conversion therapy’ to protect LGBTQ youth! #waleg pic.twitter.com/MXCw7FwUUV
— WA Senate Democrats (@WASenDemocrats) March 28, 2018
Today, Washington @GovInslee signed a bill protecting youth from so-called “conversion therapy.” https://t.co/ajt3w8c36s pic.twitter.com/3Ca2uhYzNX
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 28, 2018