Gay Conversion Therapy Now Illegal in Illinois

Under the new law, those under 18 years old can get counselling to discuss concerns or thoughts about their sexuality, but professionals licenses by the state may not try to change the minor’s orientation.

A federal ban on ex-gay therapy – which has the support of President Obama – is now idling in the House.

The law classifies conversion therapy as a consumer fraud and deceptive business practice and bans therapists from using ads that represent homosexuality as a mental illness. The American Psychiatric Association denounced the practice back in 1997, noting that not only has such therapy proven ineffective, but it often results in further pain and psychological damage.

Illinois is the fourth state to enact a prohibition of “ex-gay” therapy in addition to D.C. Other bans exist in California, New Jersey and Oregon.

“Our version of this legislation is the most comprehensive bill in the nation, barring health providers from engaging in this practice and affording survivors access to consumer fraud action against the perpetrators of this abuse,” Cassidy said in a statement.

With Rauner’s signature, the bill officially goes into effect starting on January 1, 2016. Opponents of the bill have argued it is overly broad and does not take into account that a person’s sexual orientation can be fluid.

Every major scientific organization has dismissed conversion therapy as harmful. Providers will also be prohibited from referring a patient to anyone else for goal of attempting to change their sexual orientation.

“We are thrilled that Illinois has joined the rapidly growing number of states leading the way to protect LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy”, said the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) #BornPerfect Campaign Coordinator and Staff Attorney Samantha Ames. “We thank Governor Rauner… for putting politics aside and the well-being of children first”.

“As advocates and allies, we applaud this legislation because it means that our children can no longer be told they are broken and must change who they are”, state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, the bill’s cosponsor, said in a statement.