Post by Logan on May 8, 2016 4:27:31 GMT -6
NH Senate puts off vote on 'conversion therapy' after colleague's emotional speech
CONCORD — The Senate put off action on a bill that would have prohibited conversion therapists from treating those under 18 years old, but not before an emotional speech by one senator gripped the chambers.
Sen. David Pierce, D-Lebanon, who is gay, spoke against a plan to replace the bill with a study committee after Sen. Andy Sanborn, R-Bedford, said the bill had too many questions, including whether parents could talk to their children about being gay or pastors could talk to their parishioners about their sexual orientation.
Pierce objected to the commission, saying for 40 years studies and scientific papers have said the process does not work and is often harmful to the person, particularly young people.
“A study implies a false premise that lesbian, gay or transgender individuals are somehow afflicted with a mental illness and somehow need curing,” Pierce said. “Conversion therapy is a fraud.”
Read more: www.unionleader.com/NH-Senate-puts-off-vote-on-conversion-therapy
CONCORD — The Senate put off action on a bill that would have prohibited conversion therapists from treating those under 18 years old, but not before an emotional speech by one senator gripped the chambers.
Sen. David Pierce, D-Lebanon, who is gay, spoke against a plan to replace the bill with a study committee after Sen. Andy Sanborn, R-Bedford, said the bill had too many questions, including whether parents could talk to their children about being gay or pastors could talk to their parishioners about their sexual orientation.
Pierce objected to the commission, saying for 40 years studies and scientific papers have said the process does not work and is often harmful to the person, particularly young people.
“A study implies a false premise that lesbian, gay or transgender individuals are somehow afflicted with a mental illness and somehow need curing,” Pierce said. “Conversion therapy is a fraud.”
Read more: www.unionleader.com/NH-Senate-puts-off-vote-on-conversion-therapy