TL;DR
- Colorado passes new law against conversion therapy.
- Governor Jared Polis signs bill on Pride Month.
- Law extends protections for LGBTQ+ youth.
- Survivors can seek justice for past harm.
- State funding for conversion therapy banned.
In a bold move that echoes the spirit of Pride Month, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has once again stepped up to protect LGBTQ+ youth from the harmful and discredited practice of conversion therapy. This comes just two months after the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial ruling that struck down the state’s previous ban on the practice, leaving many advocates worried about the safety of young LGBTQ+ individuals.
On Monday, Polis, who is openly gay, signed into law HB26-1322, which bans therapists from imposing a “predetermined outcome” regarding sexual orientation or gender identity on minors. This new legislation is not just a piece of paper; it’s a lifeline for countless young people who have been subjected to the trauma of conversion therapy.
“Conversion Therapy is harmful, can traumatize kids, and is a scam to waste people’s hard-earned money,” Polis declared in a press release. “This new law provides Coloradans who have been subject to this dehumanizing treatment with the tools to heal and move on to live strong, healthy and authentic lives.” Talk about a glow-up for mental health!
The bill sailed through the Colorado statehouse, championed by Democrats who refused to back down in the face of adversity. After the Supreme Court’s ruling, which deemed the previous ban not “viewpoint neutral,” the urgency for a new law became crystal clear. “While the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Colorado’s conversion therapy ban law is deeply harmful, we’re not giving up the fight to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Coloradans,” said Colorado Rep. Karen McCormick, the bill’s sponsor. “With this new law, we’re ensuring that LGBTQ+ Coloradans can seek justice for the harm caused by conversion therapy.”
This legislation not only bans conversion therapy but also extends the statute of limitations for malpractice cases related to the practice. Survivors now have more time to process their trauma and seek legal recourse. “This law recognizes that real harm can be inflicted in the name of therapy, and that this harm might not be fully understood for many years,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, another sponsor of the bill. It’s about time survivors get the justice they deserve!
Moreover, Polis signed an executive order mandating that no state funds be allocated to conversion therapy practices. “People shouldn’t be ripped off by those falsely claiming that they can change who you are attracted to or who you are,” he said, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in Colorado’s diverse community. “In our Colorado for all, everyone can live authentically, and should not be subject to hateful and simply ineffective conversion therapy.”
As we celebrate this monumental step forward, let’s remember that the fight against conversion therapy is far from over. The new law is a testament to the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and the allies who stand beside them. Together, we can ensure that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are protected and celebrated for who they are. Cheers to progress, healing, and a future free from the shackles of conversion therapy!