Bill to Bar "Ex-Gay" Therapy Introduced in Virginia General Assembly

Legislation has been enacted in California, New Jersey and most recently, the District of Columbia which makes it illegal for licensed therapists to subject minors to "ex-gay" therapy - the voodoo/ witch doctor -like "therapy" lauded by Christofascists and charlatans - that claims the gays can become heterosexual.  As noted before on this blog, the "ex-gay" myth is a key component in the Christofascist agenda to deny LGBT citizens civil rights protections and serves as a talking point to support the lie that sexual orientation is a "choice" and, therefore, undeserving of legal protections.  The bill introduced by Delegate Hope would add a provision to Chapter 24 of Title54.1 of the Code of Virginia.  The proposed amendment reads as follows:

§ 54.1-2409.5. Sexual orientation change efforts prohibited.

No person licensed in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle shall engage in sexual orientation change efforts with any person under 18 years of age.  Any sexual orientation change efforts with a person under 18 years of age engaged in by a provider licensed in accordance with the  provisions of this subtitle shall constitute unprofessional conduct and shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the appropriate health regulatory board within the Department of Health  Professions.  For the purpose of this section, "sexual orientation change efforts" includes the provision of treatment,  interventions, counseling, or services intended to change a person's sexual orientation, gender  identity, or gender expressions.  "Sexual orientation change efforts" does not include treatment, interventions, counseling, or services provided to persons seeking to transition from one gender to another or that provide acceptance, social support, and identity exploration and development.

It goes without saying that Victoria Cobb and the hate merchants at The Family Foundation ("TFF") will oppose this bill with tooth and claw.  It also goes without saying that TFF will demand that its tawdry political whores in the Republican Party of Virginia vote against this bill.  The good news nonetheless is that the bill will help to generate media coverage as to the fraudulent nature of "ex-gay" therapy and its harmful effects.   it will also help expose Victoria Cobb and TFF for the foul liars that they are.