Nebraska May Be Next State to Protect Youth from 'Conversion Therapy'

Just days after Nebraska's capital city of Lincoln banned conversion therapy, the Nebraska state Judiciary Committee heard testimony today on a similar measure for all of Nebraska. With bipartisan support, Legislative Bill 231 reflects the American heartland's understanding that families deserve protection from the ineffective, unethical, unprofessional, and harmful practice of conversion therapy.

Sponsored by state Sen. Megan Hunt, the bill bars "a practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity" by state-licensed professionals upon minors, classifying the offense as a deceptive trade practice. The bill also prohibits the use of state funds for conversion therapy.

The bill does not regulate religious advice or unlicensed counselors, nor does it regulate therapy that neutrally helps the client to navigate concerns about sexuality and faith. The bill upholds freedom of speech and religion while protecting Nebraska youth and their parents from fraud and abuse.

"Conversion therapy is pseudoscience based on the incorrect idea that being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is a disease that must be 'cured.' This abusive practice has been proven to place LGBT children and teenagers at an increased risk for depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide," said Sen. Hunt. "Our LGBT kids don't need to be 'fixed.' They need to know that they are respected and valued in Nebraska."

Born Perfect has seen firsthand the devastating impact on parents and families when they are misled by licensed professionals, who falsely claim that therapy can change a youth's sexual orientation or gender identity. Tragically, the harms caused by these practices include a significantly heightened risk of suicide, depression, and other serious physical and emotional harms.

"Conversion therapy is not mere talk," said Born Perfect Co-Founder Mathew Shurka. "Conversion therapists falsely blame parents and relatives for an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, and their 'talk' consists of shaming youths for their romantic and sexual thoughts, requiring them to limit contact with the 'problem parent.' In my case, I wasn't allowed to speak to my mom and two sisters for three years. I am still dealing with the pain and damage inflicted by conversion therapy on my family and me."

After thorough research into conversion therapies, in 2009, an American Psychological Association task force concluded that there is no scientific evidence that efforts to change sexual orientation or gender expression are effective and significant evidence that they are harmful – especially for youth. Young adults subjected to these practices have reported dramatically increased rates of depression, illegal drug use, risky sexual behavior, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide. All professional mental-health associations in the United States have issued policy statements condemning conversion therapy and warning against its use on minors.

"This bill affirms what LGBTQIA+ Nebraskans already know – we were born perfect and we belong in our state," said Sara E. Rips, legal and policy counsel for the ACLU of Nebraska. "The ACLU welcomes the effort to update existing professional standards to limit unethical and discredited practices that cause harm for Nebraska children. The bottom line is that Nebraska should be for everyone. We are grateful for the leaders who work to make our State a place where the rights of all Nebraskans are respected by all Nebraskans."

Born Perfect has identified more than 2,000 conversion therapy providers nationally, including many in Nebraska. UCLA's Williams Institute found in 2018 that nearly 700,000 Americans have endured conversion therapy. As survivors and allies, we strongly support legislative action to protect youth from these dangerous and discredited practices.