Dems challenge Pence to support proposal to ban 'ex-gay' therapy [View all]

[DonViejo]

April 25, 2017 at 12:50 pm EDT | by Chris Johnson

Democrats in Congress have reintroduced legislation seeking to ban “ex-gay” conversion therapy nationwide, challenging Vice President Mike Pence to support the bill given his past comments suggesting support for the widely discredited practice.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) in the U.S. House and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash) in the U.S. Senate reintroduced on Tuesday the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, legislation that would ban “ex-gay” therapy by declaring it fraudulent practice. Murray said in a statement the bill is necessary given the anti-LGBT positions of the Trump administration, which among other things includes the reversal of Obama-era guidance assuring transgender kids have access to school restrooms consistent with their gender identity.

“On this and so many other issues impacting the LGBTQ community, the Trump Administration has laid out a hateful, damaging agenda to undo hard-won progress, divide our communities, hurt our friends, neighbors, and family members just because of who they are or who they love,” Murray said. “This is absolutely the wrong direction for our country — and I will continue to push for ways to make sure all people, regardless of who they are or who they love, are treated equally and with respect.”

First introduced in the previous Congress, the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act would clarify that “conversion therapy” in exchange for monetary compensation, as well as advertising of such services, is fraud and illegal under the authority of Federal Trade Commission. Additionally, the bill would empower state attorneys general with the authority to enforce the ban in federal court.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), an original co-sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement the legislation would both end a dangerous practice and protect consumers from fraud.

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https://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/04/25/dems-challenge-pence-proposal-ban-ex-gay-nationwide/