Posted on Mar 22, 2023
Ban on anti-gay 'conversion therapy' fails in Jackson County Legislature by 1 vote
132
9
1
5
5
0
It’s already illegal for health care providers to practice so-called conversion therapy in parts of Jackson County, but the failed ordinance would have outlawed use of the discredited practice on minors across the county and made it easier to report abuse.
The Jackson County Legislature failed on Monday to pass a ban on so-called conversion therapy, the scientifically discredited practice that seeks to “convert” people to a heterosexual lifestyle or traditional gender roles.
The ordinance — which would have enacted the strictest ban in the metro — needed six votes to pass. Five legislators voted yes and three abstained. Legislator Sean Smith was the only no vote.
Legislator Jalen Anderson, one of the co-sponsors of the ordinance, called the vote “disgraceful.”
The Jackson County Legislature failed on Monday to pass a ban on so-called conversion therapy, the scientifically discredited practice that seeks to “convert” people to a heterosexual lifestyle or traditional gender roles.
The ordinance — which would have enacted the strictest ban in the metro — needed six votes to pass. Five legislators voted yes and three abstained. Legislator Sean Smith was the only no vote.
Legislator Jalen Anderson, one of the co-sponsors of the ordinance, called the vote “disgraceful.”
Ban on anti-gay 'conversion therapy' fails in Jackson County Legislature by 1 vote
Posted from kcur.orgPosted in these groups: 
LGBTQ+
Kansas City
LGBTQ+ Kansas City
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 1
3
3
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The Jackson County ordinance contained language that so-called conversion therapy does not include “counseling that provides support and assistance to a person undergoing gender transition.” It also included language recognizing that sexual orientation is not a choice.
Sixth district legislator Sean Smith — the lone no vote — attempted to change some of the language in the ordinance, including removing some language that defined sexual orientation.
The ban was first introduced in late January, and heard in the legislature’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee last week. Abarca told KCUR’s Up to Date last week that several people testified about their personal experiences with so-called conversion therapy.
“One that I think really rang true was an individual who said that he volunteered to do conversion therapy as an adult, and regretted the scenario and the imaginable situation where a kid would be forced to do it was something unimaginable to him,” Abarca said.
At present, 20 states, the District of Columbia and about 100 municipalities have passed laws banning so-called conversion therapy.
Missouri does not have any statewide law banning the practice for minors. Jackson County’s failed attempt comes as the Missouri legislature is debating several pieces of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ legislation."
..."The Jackson County ordinance contained language that so-called conversion therapy does not include “counseling that provides support and assistance to a person undergoing gender transition.” It also included language recognizing that sexual orientation is not a choice.
Sixth district legislator Sean Smith — the lone no vote — attempted to change some of the language in the ordinance, including removing some language that defined sexual orientation.
The ban was first introduced in late January, and heard in the legislature’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee last week. Abarca told KCUR’s Up to Date last week that several people testified about their personal experiences with so-called conversion therapy.
“One that I think really rang true was an individual who said that he volunteered to do conversion therapy as an adult, and regretted the scenario and the imaginable situation where a kid would be forced to do it was something unimaginable to him,” Abarca said.
At present, 20 states, the District of Columbia and about 100 municipalities have passed laws banning so-called conversion therapy.
Missouri does not have any statewide law banning the practice for minors. Jackson County’s failed attempt comes as the Missouri legislature is debating several pieces of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ legislation."
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google