After an emotionally charged debate, the Maine House of Representatives passed a bill that would ban conversion therapy on anyone under the age of 18. The 76–68 vote was cast on April 12. The Bangor Daily News described the debate as “unusually passionate” which “quickly devolved into tense testimony and lawmakers shouting over each other.”
Those opposed called the bill unnecessary, “as well as a violation of family and free speech rights,” the newspaper reported. Those in support referred to extensive medical studies showing the harmful effects of the practice as well as personal testimony.
Rep. Ryan Fecteau of Biddleford introduced the legislation.
“The legislature has a responsibility to protect young people, who are especially vulnerable, from these medically condemned practices,” Fecteau said from the House floor. “The legislature must mitigate exposing children to this harm, to this hurt, and to this rejection of their innate, genuine selves.”
According to the Pordland Herald, Fecteau said he was sponsoring the bill “because he was pushed toward conversion therapy himself by a university administrator he respected and trusted while in college. He said the notion that there was somehow something wrong with him triggered suicidal thoughts.”
He went on to present a long list of health care organizations that condemn the practice of therapy; these include the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and American School Counselor Association.
Support for the bill fell largely down to party lines, with Democrats in favor and Republicans largely against. It next moves on to the state’s Republican-controlled senate, but advocates of the legislation will not be deterred.
“For the sake of LGBTQ youth across the state, it’s essential that fair-minded voices speak out now and call on their state senators to pass this crucially important legislation,” said HRC legislative counsel Xavier Persad in an April 12 press release. “We urge the Maine Senate to pass this measure and join the growing number of states and municipalities that protect LGBTQ youth from the inhumane and abusive practice of conversion therapy.”
