Utah House members weighing a proposed conversion therapy ban are suggesting significant changes to the bill, even as its sponsor warns altering “one semicolon” could threaten the hard-won coalition that has formed around it.
The legislation, unveiled last week during a press conference hosted by Equality Utah, is the culmination of talks between LGBTQ advocates, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the lawmakers who will guide it through the Legislature. Following the negotiations, the church agreed not to oppose the effort to prevent state-licensed therapists from trying to alter a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity or to eliminate related attractions, behaviors, feelings and expressions.