State Rep. Brian Sims announced Thursday that he plans to re-introduce a bill to ban conversion therapy for minors in Pennsylvania.
The controversial practice of therapists attempting to change a client’s sexual orientation has been denounced by every leading major medical and psychological association. Sims and Sen. Anthony Williams introduced legislation to ban such efforts for those under 18 in the last two legislative sessions, but the measures did not move out of committee.
Williams introduced the Senate version of the bill Jan. 12, along with five Democratic cosponsors: Sens. Daylin Leach, Christine Tartaglione, Judith Schwank, Art Haywood and Sharif Streets. A representative of the House Democratic Communications Office told PGN Sims was circulating a cosponsorship memo and plans to introduce the measure “in the near future.”
At a press conference Thursday at Philadelphia City Hall, Sims acknowledged the bill could face resistance.
“I’m not blind to the political climate this is being introduced in,” he said “But I believe my colleagues will understand that this is not an issue of LGBT civil right; it’s an issue of public health.”
Sims, along with PA Psychiatric Society President-Elect Gail Edelsohn, cited data that children exposed to conversion therapy are at greater risk than their counterparts for suicide, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and substance abuse.
“This is not a bipartisan issue,” Sims said. “It’s an issue about protecting children.”
Sims was also joined by state Reps. Jordan Harris and Chris Rabb, along with Mayor Jim Kenney.
Kenney called conversion therapy a “gross violation” of human rights that “promotes misconceptions” about LGBT people. He also issued a directive to parents whose children may be questioning their identity.
“Tell them you love them, hug them, tell them you value them,” the mayor said. “That’s the best thing you can do for your kids.”
A similar bill is being spearheaded in Philadelphia City Council by Councilman Mark Squilla. That legislation is awaiting action by the Committee on Public Health and Human Services.