ATLANTA — State Representative Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) today announced her continued efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors in the state of Georgia with House Bill 716. Rep. Waites originally introduced similar legislation during the 2014 legislative session.
“Conversion therapy has proven to be a psychological deterrent to many young people,” said Rep. Waites. “This harmful therapy uses rejection, shame and psychological abuse which often lead to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, and even suicide. I hope Georgia will join the list of four other states and our nation’s capitol to ban this reprehensible practice.”
HB 716 would prohibit any licensed professional counselor, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or marriage and family therapists, from conducting conversion therapy on anyone under the age of 18 years old in the state of Georgia.
To date, legislation banning conversion therapy on minors has become law in California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Similar legislation has also been introduced in at least 17 other state legislatures since 2014.
Conversion therapy is a form of therapy intended to influence a person’s sexual orientation through counseling. The American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Psychological Association all publicly oppose this type of therapy, each noting that there is no adequate scientific research to date proving that conversion therapy is effective or safe.
“The medical community has weighed-in and ruled that this therapy does not work,” said Rep. Waites. “No young person should ever be shamed by a mental health professional or those from whom they seek guidance. I hope you will join me to put an end to this dangerous and discredited treatment.”
For more information on HB 716, please click here.