AUGUSTA, Maine — On Wednesday, Maine's House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would prohibit licensed professionals from advertising, offering, or administering "conversion therapy" to minors.
This controversial practice aims to change a person's sexual orientation from gay or bi to straight.
The bill describes conversion therapy as:
"...any practice or treatment that seeks or purports to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including, but not limited to, any effort to change gender expression or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions, feelings or behavior toward individuals of the same gender."
Last year, a similar bill to ban conversion therapy passed in the state's legislature, but Gov. Paul LePage vetoed it.
The current bill has bipartisan support. It was passed with a 91-45 vote on May 8 in the House. The Portland Press Herald reports that five Republicans and five Independents joined 81 Democrats to support the bill.
Rep. Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) is the sponsor of this bill. Proponents say that conversion therapy can lead to psychological disorders, like shame, depression, anxiety, drug-use and suicide, among minors who have been subjected to it.
Opponents of Fecteau's bill, however, say his proposal goes too far and diminishes the rights parents have over their children.
16 states in the country currently ban conversion therapy. The bill in Maine now moves to the Senate for consideration.