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U.S. NEWS Thursday 28 November 2019

Utah banning 'conversion therapy' with Mormon church backing

By BRADY McCOMBS a parents or grandparents
Associated Press who happen to be a men-
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah tal health therapist if they
is on its way to becom- are talking to children or
ing the 19th state to ban grandchildren.
the discredited practice Justin Utley, 42, who at-
of conversion therapy in tempted suicide more
January after state officials than a decade ago after
formed a proposal that has going through conversion
the support of the influen- therapy, said he's con-
tial Church of a Jesus Christ cerned about the excep-
of Latter-day Saints. tions granted to the church
Republican Gov. Gary Her- even but said the new rule
bert announced Tuesday is a positive step.
night that church leaders "Progress is progress in this
back a regulatory rule his state. You kind of have to
office helped craft after make some compromises,"
legislative efforts for a ban Utley said. "My concern,
on the therapy failed ear- though, is clergy who are
lier this year. licensed professionals hav-
The faith known widely as ing this ability to justify con-
the Mormon church op- version therapy by claiming
posed a previous version of that they've turned off the
the rule because it wanted In this Jan. 3, 2018, file photo, the angel Moroni statue, silhouetted against the sky, sits atop the switch and now are act-
assurances that church Salt Lake Temple at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. ing as a clergy member in-
leaders and members who Associated Press stead of a licensed profes-
are therapists would be al- sional. That's a very danger-
lowed to provide spiritual ated praise from LGBTQ in a suicide attempt several to ban "abusive" practices ous precedent."
counseling for parishioners advocates and conversion months after the therapy. like conversion therapy but During a public hearing
or families — which were in- therapy survivors who had Church government affairs contended an earlier regu- about the rule in Septem-
cluded in the latest conver- expressed frustration with director Marty Stephens latory proposal banning ber, Utley and other sup-
sion therapy ban plan. the yearslong battle in Utah reiterated in the gover- the practice defined sexu- porters of a conversion
The faith opposes gay mar- to ban conversion therapy. nor's news release that the al orientation and efforts to therapy ban said enduring
riage and teaches that The rule uses language from faith denounces conver- change sexual orientation the therapy led to shame,
intimidate same-sex rela- a state legislative proposal sion therapy and wants a so broadly that it "would im- depression and suicide at-
tionships are a sin. The reli- that failed this year despite ban. He said in an interview peril legitimate and helpful tempts. Opponents argued
gion has stuck to that belief church leaders saying they with The Associated Press therapies to the detriment that the rule would prevent
while urging members to would not oppose it. last month that the faith of minor clients." parents from getting help
be kind and compassion- "It means youth will be get- doesn't ascribe to "pray the For example, the church for children with "unwant-
ate to LGBTQ people. ting adequate services gay away" thinking but that had claimed the bill would ed" gay feelings or even
Conversion therapy is a that will help them rather prayer and religious teach- have prohibited therapists from talking about sexuality
practice used to try to than harm them," said Na- ings can be helpful to peo- from discussing strategies with their kids.
change peoples' sexual ori- than Dalley, 20, who had ple trying to navigate life's for avoiding same-sex inti- Herbert said "the stories of
entation or gender identity. conversion therapy when challenges. macy when young people youth who have endured
The rule would ban Utah he was 16. "This is a change The religion holds tremen- seek help to adhere to the these so-called therapies
therapists from subjecting that's been needed for so dous influence in Utah, faith's teachings. are heart rending."
LGBTQ minors to the prac- long. It's too late, but I'm where the majority of state The revised rule stipulates He added: "I'm grateful
tice that the American Psy- happy it is here." lawmakers and nearly that the ban doesn't apply that we have found a way
chological Association has Dalley grew up as a mem- two-thirds of the state's 3.1 to clergy members or reli- forward that will ban con-
said is not based in science ber of the Latter-day Saint million residents are mem- gious counselors acting in version therapy forever in
and is harmful to mental faith and said he was told bers of the faith. Herbert is a religious capacity, or to our state."q
health. The Utah rule pro- during his therapy to snap a a member and so are all
posal is set to go to a 30- rubber band on his wrist ev- six members of the state's
day public comment pe- ery time he felt attracted to congressional delegation,
riod beginning Dec. 15 and men. His therapist also scru- including U.S. Sen. Mitt
take effect as soon as Jan. tinized his posture, his walk, Romney.
22, Herbert said. his gestures and interests. The church had said in an
The success in getting the Dalley said the experience Oct. 15 letter to state regu-
church's crucial support for deepened his feelings of lators that it would support
the regulatory rule gener- depression and culminated a "carefully tailored" rule