Michigan authorities have moved to ban conversion therapy in the state that targets youth members of the LGBTQ community as the discredited practice aims to "convert" them to heterosexuality or traditional gender expectations.
The development comes after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the new legislation on Wednesday. With this, the state became the 22nd in the United States to criminalize conversion therapy, which lawmakers defined as any practice or treatment by a mental health professional that sought to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Michigan Bans Conversion Therapy
The definition outlined in the new legislation does not include counseling that assists people undergoing a gender transition. The Michigan governor, a mother of a member of the LGBTQ community, said in a statement that the ban on the "horrific practice" was needed to make the state a place "where you can be who you are."
In 2021, Whitmer signed an executive directive prohibiting using state and federal funds for conversion therapy targeting minors. There are 15% of LGBTQ minors who live in Michigan that have reported that they have been threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy as of 2022, as per NBC News.
For several years now, LGBTQ rights advocates have decried the discredited practice, citing research that suggests that it can increase the risk of suicide and depression among members of the LGBTQ community.
Last month, the Michigan Senate approved the conversion therapy ban in a 21-15 vote where one Republican lawmaker sided with Democrats. This came after the legislation passed by the state House. GOP members who opposed the ban said it could interfere with the work of mental health professionals.
Since Democrats took control of the state government in Michigan earlier this year, they have prioritized protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community. Lawmakers in March amended the state's civil rights act to codify LGBTQ protections and permanently criminalize discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Protecting LGBTQ Youth
On the other hand, Minnesota lawmakers passed a similar ban on conversion therapy in April in the state where Democrats also took control earlier this year. Last month, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also issued an executive order that prohibits state agencies from using funds to promote or facilitate conversion therapy, according to ABC News.
In May, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) declared a state of emergency for the LGBTQ community in response to an "unprecedented and dangerous" spike in discriminatory legislation that swept statehouses this year. It became the first such emergency declaration in the 43-year history of the HRC.
In a statement, Whitmer expressed her gratitude for her colleagues' and supporters' actions in making Michigan a more welcoming and inclusive state. The executive director at Equality Michigan, Erin Knott, also celebrated the passing of the legislation.
She noted that the governor has demonstrated that she has committed to protecting the well-being and safety of Michigan's LGBTQ youth. She added that the passing of the ban sends a powerful message that every young person in the state has the right to grow up free from the damaging effects of the discredited practice, said the Detroit Free Press.
