State Rep. Brian Sims, D-Philadelphia, announced his intention to introduce legislation this term that would effectively ban all gay-reparative or conversion therapies in the state of Pennsylvania. Collectively, such therapies are known as sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE). The Protection of Minors From Sexual Orientation Change Counseling Act, or SB 872, sponsored by Sims and Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Luzerne, states, “A mental health professional shall not engage in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual under 18 years of age.” If passed, this legislation could end the litany of medical, psychological and spiritual mistreatments that have done irreparable damage to generations of LGBT youth in Pennsylvania.
SOCEs have come into the national spotlight recently, as a plethora of scientific evidence proves what LGBT advocates have been saying for years—that being gay is not a choice. Subjecting minors already dealing with the often difficult process of coming out to SOCEs causes or strengthens extreme negative feelings and numerous other emotional collateral damages. The bill cites the conclusions of a 2009 task force analyzing SOCEs that concluded they cause critical health risks to LGBT individuals, including shame, confusion, depression, self-hatred, guilt and hopelessness. This can lead to social withdrawal, suicidality, substance abuse, hostility and blame toward parents, loss of faith, feelings of anger and betrayal, loss of friends, problems in sexual and emotional intimacy, high-risk sexual behaviors, and feelings of being dehumanized.
