UTAH: Activists And LDS Agree On Ex-Gay Torture Ban

The Salt Lake Tribune reports:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and LGBTQ advocates have coalesced around a proposed ban on “conversion therapy” for minors. Gov. Gary Herbert on Tuesday evening announced that groups involved in the emotional debate have finally agreed on language that would prohibit the discredited practice.

The proposed professional licensing rule for therapists and psychologists is patterned after an earlier bill that was backed by Equality Utah and went unopposed by the LDS Church — although it stalled in the state Legislature in March.

“I have learned much through this process,” Herbert said in a prepared statement. “The stories of youth who have endured these so-called therapies are heart-rending, and I’m grateful that we have found a way forward that will ban conversion therapy forever in our state.”

Utah will be the 19th state with a ban.