Conversion Therapy Ban in Utah Now in Effect

Salt Lake City, UT – On Wednesday, January 22, Utah will become the 19th state in the nation to protect minors from the practice of so-called “Conversion Therapy.”  The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing and Governor Gary Herbert have adopted rules to effectively regulate this dangerous practice. Equality Utah, the Utah Psychological Association, Rep. Craig Hall and conversion therapy survivors will gather at the Capitol’s Copper Room at 9am on Wednesday morning to celebrate the adoption of this new rule.

‍Troy Williams, executive director of EQUALITY UTAH stated: “Every reputable science-based organization in the country recognizes that conversion therapy is a dangerous fraud. It exasurbates depression, anxiety and suicide ideation. We are grateful to Governor Herbert and the Board of Psychologists for acting swiftly on behalf of LGBTQ youth.”

University of Utah law professor Clifford Rosky, who worked on drafting the approved language, stated: “Although Utah is a predominately conservative state, protecting children from conversion therapy is not a partisan project.  It’s about preventing youth suicide—a goal that is widely shared by progressives and conservatives. Utah adopted this measure to prevent children from dying by suicide.”

‍Rep. Craig Hall, the original sponsor of HB 399, said: “I am thrilled by the adoption of the Administrative Rule which ends conversion therapy once and for all in this State. Thanks to everyone who helped develop language that both prohibits conversion therapy and also protects the legitimate interests of healthcare professionals, patients and families. This measure will truly save lives.”

The Williams Institute from UCLA Law estimates that 680,000 Americans have experienced conversion therapy—350,000 as minors. A 2018 study by Dr. Caitlin Ryan found that minors subjected to conversion therapy were two times more likely to experience depression (52%) and nearly three times more likely to attempt suicide (63%). A new study from JAMA Psychiatry on transgender clients in conversion therapy experience “severe psychological distress” and “increased odds of lifetime suicide attempts”.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
‍Troy Williams
Executive Director
Equality Utah
[email protected]