Transcript below:
From the State Capitol in Richmond, I’m Craig Carper.
Governor Ralph Northam has signed a bill that would outlaw the controversial practice of conversion therapy for minors.
Currently licensed counselors or medical professionals can attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a child. The new law would ban that practice and subject anyone who violates it to disciplinary action.
Governor Northam, who is also a pediatric neurologist, says conversion therapy isn’t effective.
[Audio: Northam]
“It’s something we’ve been working on for a number of years and I’m finally glad that there’s a bill that got through the Senate and the House and I was extremely pleased to sign and put conversion therapy to an end in Virginia for minors.”
Virginia is now the 20th state to ban conversion therapy and the first state in the south to do so.
The bill passed the support of a dozen Republicans but some conservative groups say that conversion therapy can help individuals who are struggling with their sexual orientation.
Another bill is headed to the Senate floor that would ban discrimination in healthcare against transgender individuals and bring Virginia into compliance with federal law by requiring that insurance companies cover gender transition-related medications and surgeries. That bill passed the House last month.
For Assembly 20, I’m Craig Carper.
