Bill Would Ban Gay “Conversion Therapy” for Kids

Our G-Philly friends are all over this story:

In a press conference this afternoon at the Attic Youth Center, Philly State Rep. Brian Sims and Luzerne Rep. Gerald Mullery announced plans to introduce a bi-partisan bill that will make it illegal for Pennsylvania mental health providers to perform gay conversion therapy on minors. The bill is similar to one recently introduced in the State Senate by Anthony H. Williams. If passed, Pennsylvania would become the third state to pass such a law, following in the footsteps of New Jersey and California.

During the conference, Sims said:

“It’s been 40 years since the American Psychological Association excluded homosexuality from being classified as a mental disorder, and the APA has published studies showing that patients younger than 18 suffer from a multitude of harmful effects associated with this so-called therapy, including withdrawal and suicidal thoughts. It’s time to protect Pennsylvania children from this quackery that can inflict years of harm for those who manage to survive it.”