[Vision2020] LGBT conversion ban passes in Washington House

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (February 16, 2014) Spokesman-Review.

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LGBT conversion ban passes in Washington House
OLYMPIA – A bill intended to prevent health care providers from trying to convert gay people under age 18 passed the state House on Thursday.

House Bill 2451, which passed on a 94-4 vote, would make it an act of unprofessional conduct to try to change the sexual orientation of a patient under 18. That would include efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to reduce sexual or romantic attractions toward people of the same sex.

Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, said that regardless of personal beliefs, all youth should be protected.

“As a Christian person, I can’t stand by and watch someone be put through a tortuous practice to change a behavior,” he said.

Rep. Laurie Jinkins spoke of a friend who was institutionalized and given shock treatments as a teenager after telling her parents she was a lesbian.

“This bill is about recognizing human dignity of all our kids,” said Jinkins, a Democrat from Tacoma.

The measure would fall under the Uniform Disciplinary Act, which includes acts of unprofessional conduct such as negligence, dishonesty, misuse of drugs or alcohol and betrayal of practitioner-patient privilege.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

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Washington House Bill 2451
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2451#documents
 
Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
  
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