Maine’s governor vetoes conversion therapy bill

Maine Governor Paul LePage, a tea-party Republican known for strange behavior, vetoed a bill that would have prevented so-called conversion therapy on minors in the state. The bill defined conversion therapy as “any practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have banned the practice.

Related:
Hawaii governor bans conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth
Maryland bans conversion therapy for minors
California lawmakers move to limit gay conversion therapy

LePage called the bill “bad public policy”, saying the definition was too broad, and could prevent professionals from answering clients’ questions about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

He wrote, “This bill attempts to regulate professionals who already have a defined scope of practice and standard of care per their statutory licensing requirements,” LePage wrote. “I strongly agree that young people should not be physically or mentally abused if they come out to their parents or guardians because they have experienced sexual or romantic attraction to an individual of the same gender. However, as it is written – ‘any practice or course of treatment’ – can call into question a simple conversation.”

The governor also cited the possibility that the bill would infringe on a parent’s religious liberty, saying, “Parents have the right to seek counsel and treatment for their children from professionals who do not oppose the parents’ own religious beliefs.”

Votes passing the bill in Maine’s House and Senate were not sufficient to override a veto. It is unclear whether such an attempt would succeed.

Copyright The Gayly – July 8, 2018 @ 10:30 a.m.