US: Local Board bans sexual orientation conversion therapy for minors

Arizona.  The Pima County Board of Supervisors approved on Tuesday a resolution banning sexual orientation “conversion therapy” of minors in exchange for a fee.

The 3-2 decision of the board echoes decisions in nine other states that have made conversion therapy illegal and takes the public stance that sexual identity is not a disorder or mental illness.

The ordinance will restrict “sexual orientation change efforts to change behaviors, sexual or gender identities or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings towards persons of the same sex,” the resolution says.

“Conversion therapy” is the attempt to prevent or change a person from being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Among the many public speakers at the board’s meeting were educators, parents, therapists, religious leaders, advocacy groups and members from the LGBTQ community.

The ordinance will not restrict minors from having general discussions with licensed therapists, religious practitioners or free counsel, only conversion therapies on minors where a fee is charged. Read more via Arizona Daily Star