News (USA)

Gay conversion therapy ban passes Illinois House

Gay conversion therapy ban passes Illinois House
Illinois state capitol in Springfield.
Illinois state capitol in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois state House on Tuesday approved a bill to prohibit conversion therapy for LGBT youth.

The bill prohibits licensed mental health care providers from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with anyone under the age of 18. Sexual orientation change efforts are defined by the bill as any treatment or practice that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

There was no debate on the measure before it was approved by a vote of 68-43. The bill now goes to the Senate for approval.

Just last year, the House defeated a similar plan 44-51 — with 22 members not voting.

The legislation does not apply to religious leaders and would not impact the ability of clergy to practice their religion.

Article continues below

California, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. have already enacted such bans and on Monday, Oregon governor Kate Brown signed a bill to prohibit the practice there as well.

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear challenges to both the California and New Jersey bans.

Associated Press contributed to this report.
Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Gallup: Record-high 60 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage

Previous article

Argentinian judges reduce rapist’s sentence ‘because six-year-old victim was gay’

Next article