Colorado: Protecting LGBTQ Youth: Governor Polis Signs Bill and Executive Order to Protect Coloradans From Harmful Conversion Therapy

DENVER ~ On the first day of Pride Month, Governor Jared Polis of Colorado took a stand for LGBTQ+ rights by signing HB26-1322 - Civil Actions for Conversion Therapy Survivors. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Alex Valdez and Karen McCormick, as well as Senators Lisa Cutter and Kyle Mullica, provides legal pathways for Coloradans who have been subjected to harmful conversion therapy.

Conversion therapy is a practice that claims to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. However, it has been widely discredited by medical professionals and has been shown to cause harm and trauma to those who undergo it.

Governor Polis emphasized the importance of living authentically in a state that embraces diversity. "People shouldn't be ripped off by those falsely claiming that they can change who you are attracted to or who you are," he stated. "In our Colorado for all, everyone can live authentically, and should not be subject to hateful and simply ineffective conversion therapy."

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The governor also took executive action to ensure that no state funds would go towards supporting conversion therapy. This move was made in order to protect taxpayer dollars from being used for services that have been deemed ineffective and harmful.

Representative Valdez spoke about the significance of this new law for LGBTQ+ Coloradans who have been told something about themselves that is wrong because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. "With the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling against Colorado's conversion therapy ban, we are committed to offering survivors of this harmful practice the protections they deserve," he said.

Representative McCormick echoed this sentiment, stating that conversion therapy only increases rates of depression and suicide among the LGBTQ+ community. "With this new law, we're ensuring that LGBTQ+ Coloradans can seek justice for the harm caused by conversion therapy," she said.

Senator Cutter emphasized the importance of mental health in overall wellbeing and stressed that licensed therapists should not inflict harm on children or young people. "This law recognizes that real harm can be inflicted in the name of therapy, and that this harm might not be fully understood for many years," she stated. "We are simply allowing people to have the time to process and understand the trauma that might have been inflicted, and seek the remedies already available to them under Colorado law."

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Senator Mullica also highlighted the harmful effects of conversion therapy and stressed the need for avenues for survivors to seek justice. "In light of the Supreme Court's recent ruling, it's vital that we create avenues for those who have been subjected to 'conversion therapy' to get some justice," he said.

Governor Polis concluded the signing ceremony by taking a group photo with those involved in passing this important legislation. With this new law and executive action, Colorado is taking a strong stance against conversion therapy and standing up for LGBTQ+ rights. As Governor Polis stated, "Despite the federal government's efforts to take us back, I will always protect LGBTQ youth and stand up for your right to be who you are, love who you love."

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