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Conversion Therapy Now Outlawed in 8 States

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a law on Wednesday outlawing licensed therapists from attempting to talk children out of being gay, an exercise that leading medical organizations say has been scientifically disproven.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a law on Wednesday outlawing licensed therapists from attempting to talk children out of being gay, an exercise that leading medical organizations say has been scientifically disproven.

 

The law will prohibit psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and other clinical counselors in Nevada from attempting anti-gay conversion therapy on people under age 18 beginning next year.

 

Some parents seek the treatment at anti-gay camps or religious-based therapy in an attempt to change children's sexual orientation.

 

"This bill is a major step forward in building a more equal and inclusive state," said sponsor Sen. David Parks, a Las Vegas Democrat.

 

Nevada becomes the eighth state to ban the practice on children, according to LGBTQ rights think tank Movement Advancement Project, joining California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont. New York prohibits private health insurance from covering conversion therapy and bars its use at state mental health facilities.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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