Utah Becomes 19th State To Ban Ex-Gay Torture

Ben Winslow reports at Salt Lake City’s Fox affiliate:

A rule banning conversion therapy on LGBTQ children has gone into effect, making Utah the 19th state to ban the practice. Governor Gary Herbert’s office confirmed to FOX 13 that the administrative rule went into effect on Tuesday night. The governor’s office declined to comment any further on it.

Last year, the legislature took up a proposed ban sponsored by Rep. Craig Hall, R-West Valley City, but the bill was modified by social conservatives on Capitol Hill — to the point he could not support his own legislation.

After protests by LGBTQ youth, Gov. Herbert issued a rare apology over how it was handled and then a directive to his Department of Commerce to bypass the legislature and implement an administrative rule.