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No gay conversion therapy ban in NH this year

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This week Nevada became the eighth state with a law against conversion therapy for minors. The New Hampshire Legislature considered two bills to ban conversion therapy for minors this year, but a House committee voted to keep both bills over the summer for more work.

Conversion therapy attempts to change an individual's sexual orientation.

Supporters of a ban note that conversion therapy increases anxiety, depression, and suicide among adolescents, according to the American Psychological Association

"Conversion therapy has been disavowed by medical experts and is considered a non-effective method of treatment that can cause harm to an adolescent. This law will help protect some of our state’s most vulnerable youth," said Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval when he signed the ban. 

However, some New Hampshire representatives are concerned that bills to ban conversion therapy are written too broadly, and hamper the ability of therapists to help a minor talk through unwanted sexual feelings.

Other opponents of the bills, HB 587 and SB 224, argue that there is no evidence of any licensed therapist practicing conversion therapy in New Hampshire, making legislation unnecessary.

When we asked our community about a ban on conversion therapy this January, a strong majority supported a ban. Click here to read a summary of the discussion

Do you think New Hampshire should pass HB 587 or SB 224? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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