Executive Latimer introduces bill banning conversion therapy

<p>Westchester County Executive George Latimer introduced a new bill Friday that would ban conversion therapy for minors – a controversial practice that attempts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.</p>

News 12 Staff

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Jun 2, 2018, 9:11 PM

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Updated 2,148 days ago

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Westchester County Executive George Latimer introduced a new bill Friday that would ban conversion therapy for minors – a controversial practice that attempts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Judy Troilo, the executive director of the LOFT, called the bill critical although she doesn't know any therapists in Westchester who practice conversion therapy.

“If it's not a law, it's still a possibility,” she said.

Dr. A.C. Demidont, of Anchor Health Alliance, says that possibility can have brutal effects on all those who go through the therapy, which, she says, has already been proven to be ineffective.

“There are serious side effects of conversion therapy for kids, adolescents and adults, including increased depression, anxiety, and suicidality,” says Dr. Demidont.

Executive Latimer is pushing to have Westchester join municipalities like New York City and Albany and states like California, Connecticut, and New Jersey, which have already banned the therapy.

It will now go in front of the county Board of Legislators.

More than 1,000 people showed up to celebrate LGBT pride in White Plains Saturday. The event was organized by the LOFT, an LGBT community services center.

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