Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Donors sought as field project deadline looms ... UCC victims included teacher, teens and adults seeking new starts ... UPDATED: Names of UCC shooting victims released ... Donors sought as field project deadline looms ... UCC victims included teacher, teens and adults seeking new starts ... UPDATED: Names of UCC shooting victims released ... OREGON LEGISLATURE Oregon panel considers bill banning 'gay conversion therapy' Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 29, 2015 at 4:27 PM By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 29, 2015 at 4:27 PM » Social News SALEM — Arguing that so-called gay conversion therapy helped change their lives, people who say they used to be gay but are now straight testified this week in opposition to an Oregon bill that would bar health professionals from trying to alter a child's sexual orientation. The bill would make it illegal for social workers or licensed mental health professionals, such as psychologists or psychiatrists, to practice conversion therapy on children younger than 18. The bill is backed by Basic Rights Oregon, a gay and transgender advocacy group, and has already passed the House. Similar laws already have been enacted in California, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., and in early April, President Barack Obama expressed his support for measures banning the treatments purporting to change a minors' sexual orientation. Supporters of the bill say the therapy should be illegal because it can lead to anxiety, depression and destructive behavior. They say the practice is not supported by organizations such as the American Psychological Association, which says it should not be used on minors because it could lead to serious psychological harm. "The evidence is robust around the degree to which conversion therapy has been thoroughly discredited and debunked," Basic Rights Co-Director Jeana Frazzini said Tuesday. But critics say the bill takes away parental choice and infringes on First Amendment rights. People who said they had gone through the therapy told the Senate Committee on Human Services and Early Childhood they wanted to change their feelings of homosexuality and the therapy helped. Several supporters of what is called reparative therapy said they had been sexually abused as children and that lead to gender confusion. "My experience with authentic reparative therapy was nothing short of a marvel. I am who I am and I've never been happier today within my gender and sexuality. It worked for me," said David Pickup, who offers reparative therapy for unwanted sexual attractions in Texas and California. The Senate committee plans to vote on the measure, HB 2307, Thursday. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 29, 2015 at 4:27 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501