{"id":126638,"date":"2020-03-04T10:26:53","date_gmt":"2020-03-04T15:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/virginia-is-first-southern-us-state-to-ban-conversion-therapy-on-minors\/"},"modified":"2020-03-04T10:26:53","modified_gmt":"2020-03-04T15:26:53","slug":"virginia-is-first-southern-us-state-to-ban-conversion-therapy-on-minors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/virginia-is-first-southern-us-state-to-ban-conversion-therapy-on-minors\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia is first southern US state to ban conversion therapy on minors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Virginia is first southern US state to ban conversion therapy on minors<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Virginia
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (Photo: US Government)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Virginia’s Governor, Ralph Northam, signed a bill yesterday banning the practice of so-called “conversion therapy” on minors.<\/p>\n

Conversion therapy is the discredited practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity through psychotherapeutic means. It doesn’t work and usually does far more harm than good.<\/p>\n

Virginia becomes the 20th state in the US – and the first in the south – to ban the practice on minors. Adults can still choose to pursue it if they wish. The legislation was introduced by state Delegate Patrick A. Hope (D-Arlington). It was passed in both the Virginia House and Senate, both of which are controlled by Democrats.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The ban will take effect from July 1, 2020.<\/p>\n

Related: Utah’s Republican governor acts to ban conversion therapy on minors<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Governor Northam, besides his political role, works as a pediatric neurologist “who has cared for thousands of children.” In a statement, he said he was “proud” to sign the legislation.<\/p>\n

“Conversion therapy sends the harmful message that there is something wrong with who you are,” said Governor Northam.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

“This discriminatory practice has been widely discredited in studies and can have lasting effects on our youth, putting them at a greater risk of depression and suicide. No one should be made to feel they are not okay the way they are—especially not a child. I’m proud to sign this ban into law.”<\/p>\n

Related: Bowen Yang opens up about undergoing conversion therapy as a teen<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Delegate Hope added, “Conversion therapy is a dangerous, destructive practice. We should be supporting and celebrating our LGTBQ youth, not putting them in harm’s way.”<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

“[This bill is] a clear signal of the rapidly growing public support for LGBTQ equality in the South and sends a salient message: LGBTQ youth must be treated with respect, love, and support,” said the Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n<\/a> <\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\nwww.queerty.com\/virginia-first-southern-us-state-ban-conversion-therapy-minors-20200304?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Virginia is first southern US state to ban conversion therapy on minors Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (Photo: US Government) Virginia’s Governor, Ralph Northam, signed a bill yesterday banning the practice of so-called “conversion therapy” on minors. Conversion therapy is the discredited practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity through psychotherapeutic means. … Continue reading Virginia is first southern US state to ban conversion therapy on minors<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2466,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-126638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nVirginia is first southern US state to ban conversion therapy on minors - GAYFRIENDSCHAT.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/virginia-is-first-southern-us-state-to-ban-conversion-therapy-on-minors\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Virginia is first southern US state to ban conversion therapy on minors - GAYFRIENDSCHAT.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Virginia is first southern US state to ban conversion therapy on minors Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (Photo: US Government) Virginia’s Governor, Ralph Northam, signed a bill yesterday banning the practice of so-called “conversion therapy” on minors. 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