Jessica Reyna
Bill TU-002 was presented in the Senate by Senator King, and it calls to bring an end for Conversion Therapy for minors. Conversion therapy is designed to change or “fix” the sexual orientation of an individual to being heterosexual. The bill explains that minors or anyone under the age of eighteen is too young to consent to conversion therapy.
Conversion Therapy was prominent during a time when any individual who did not identify with being heterosexual was dubbed as having a mental illness. Individuals who were put through conversion therapy were subject to being “cured” through the use of spiritual means, or psychological intervention. Religious people were the biggest advocates for conversion therapy.
In the past, heinous methods have been used to “fix” one’s sexuality. Lobotomy was a method that was used in the past. When a lobotomy was performed, an icepick would be used on the head of a patient to reach a certain part of the brain. Most victims of lobotomies were disabled for the rest of their lives. Chemical castration through hormonal treatment was also used. One cruel method that is infamous is the use of shock therapy. The shock that would go through one’s body was meant to decrease the amount of homosexual or bisexual urges or feelings that were being experienced. Gay ministries were also established for the purpose of converting people to being heterosexual. Reparative therapy was a method that held the world view that one might hold urges other than homosexuality because they feel “inferior” in some way.
The use of conversion therapy has slowed down today and is not as near as sought out as it used to be. Ever since the 21st century rolled around, there are more and more people who are opposed to it. Over the past couple of decades, there have been apologies issued to the lgbtq+ community for not accepting the sexual orientation that they identify with.
The bill was passed by the Senate, and the bill takes effect ninety days after its’ passage. If a therapist is found practicing conversion therapy, then they are subject to be fine fifteen thousand dollars and serve a minimum of one year in jail.