Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) of Michigan approved Democratic legislation this week that forbids therapists from attempting to persuade kids to accept their biological sex or simply a straight orientation. The state continues to approve conversion therapy for kids whose goal is to make them non-straight or transgender.
The Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Democrat Felicia Brabec proposed House Bill 4616 in May. It forbids mental health providers from “taking part in conversion therapy involving a minor.”
The term “conversion therapy” is defined as follows in House Bill 4717, the corresponding amendment: “Any practice or therapies by a professional in the field of mental health that aims to alter a person’s sexual orientation or the gender identity, which includes, but is not limited to, attempts to alter conduct or gender expression as well as to decrease or eradicate sexual and romantic attractions or emotions toward a person of the same gender.”
The following explanation has been provided since this term might, on its own, implicate efforts to persuade kids to try to alter their sex or choose non-heterosexual lifestyles:
“Conversion therapy doesn’t involve counseling that assists a person in transitioning their gender, counseling that offers acceptance, encouragement, or an understanding of a person, or counseling that supports a person’s coping, social interaction, or identity growth and exploration, which includes sexually orientation-neutral intervention,” according to the American Psychological Association.”
Some detractors claim that this rule would restrict medical personnel from helping children who experience gender dysphoria or urging them to accept the body they were born with, compelling them to either support the illusion or keep quiet.
The concept, according to state representative Neil Friske (R), is overly wide, and the legislation would serve to penalize providers that are “simply maintaining natural law as well as declining to buy into the emerging left-wing gender schemes,” according to The Hill.
Donni Steele, a Republican state representative, objected, saying, “I cannot in good faith vote for stupid legislation that may hurt our children. Children shouldn’t be forced to make such challenging choices. Legislators in Lansing are not best suited to make critical decisions affecting a child’s development; rather, the child’s parents, in collaboration with certified medical specialists, are.”
According to the bill’s co-sponsor Brabec, who doesn’t oppose transgender conversion therapy, the legislation would assist in ensuring that children may “express themselves without having to worry or risk of developing damaging pseudo-psychology,” according to UPI.
“I am convinced that this legislation will help make sure that therapists such as myself continue causing no harm through our practices while safeguarding the LGBTQ youth in this state,” continued Brabec.
The legislation was approved by the state Senate on June 27 by a vote of 21-15 along with the state House on June 14 by a vote of 56-53.
The two pieces of legislation were approved by Whitmer, and they go into effect in October. As a result, Michigan is now among the 26 other states that have passed partial or outright prohibitions on so-called conversion treatments.
The Democratic governor said on Twitter that the effort was part of a larger initiative to create “Michigan into a more welcoming, inclusive state.”
leave the kids alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whitmer is an idiot. The brain dead gov should mind her own business – she’s not a doctor and needs to leave the children alone.