“Conversion therapy” that aims to make people who are gay – straight - may soon be banned for young people in Florida. A proposed bill in Tallahassee would bar licensed medical professionals from offering the therapy to anyone under 18.
The American Psychological Association opposes conversion therapy for everyone, but especially for children. Clinton Anderson directs the association’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Office.
“To have an experience of being strongly encouraged to think that a part of themselves is bad or wrong and should change - we just don't think that's healthy for young people”, Anderson said.
If the measure is passed by the legislature, Florida will be the third state, behind California and New Jersey, to ban conversion therapy for minors.