Congresswoman Speier Urging All States To Ban Gay Conversion Therapy
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Congresswoman Jackie Speier has introduced legislation calling on states to ban conversion therapy for children. California is one of only two states that bans the practice.
The SHOK resolution (stop harming our kids)introduced by Speier urges states to prevent the use of conversion or reparative therapy for children who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The treatment aims to change the orientation from homosexual to heterosexual.
"We're urging states to prevent persons from being licensed if they are engaging in this kind of therapy," said Speier, a Democrat representing the 14th Congressional District, which includes San Francisco and parts of the Peninsula.
Licensed marriage and family therapist, David Pickup, has offices in Los Angeles and Dallas.
"She's pushing through legislation that doesn't make any sense, because it robs a client, their parents of all their rights and it harms children," he said.
Pickup said he was assaulted by a man as a child and authentic reparative therapy worked for him and his clients. Pickup is the head of the Therapy Equality Task Force.
"We're lobbying heavily in every state in which these legislative efforts come up," Pickup said.
Currently California, New Jersey and the District of Columbia have banned conversion therapy for minors. Bills have been introduced in 18 states.
