Wisconsin Republicans block 'conversion therapy' ban

[Eugene]

Earlier DU thread: Wisconsin Republicans look to undo 'conversion therapy' ban

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Source: Associated Press

Wisconsin Republicans block ‘conversion therapy’ ban

By HARM VENHUIZEN
January 12, 2023

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans voted Thursday to again allow therapists, social workers and counselors to try to change LGBTQ clients’ gender identities and sexual orientations — a discredited practice known as conversion therapy.

A ban on conversion therapy was passed in 2020 by a state board within the Democratic governor’s administration overseeing licensing for mental health professionals. But a committee in the Republican-controlled Legislature temporarily blocked the ban then and did so again Thursday, with all six Republican members voting to block it and the four Democrats voting to keep it in place.

LGBTQ rights advocates have decried the scientifically discredited practice of trying to “convert” LGBTQ people to heterosexuality and traditional gender expectations as harmful, citing research suggesting the practice can increase the risk of suicide and depression.

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An examining board in the Department of Safety and Public Standards developed the rule banning conversion therapy, drawing objections from Republican lawmakers who introduced a bill in January 2021 to strike it down. Lawmakers placed that bill in committee for the remainder of the 2021-22 session, avoiding a veto from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and temporarily suspending the ban.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-wisconsin-state-government-district-of-columbia-1530351ffa2e4fc96f8bbae00f4e283e