The city of Denver is doing right by its LGBTQ citizens.
The Denver City Council has unanimously passed a ban on gay conversion therapy for minors, according to KKTV’s 11 News.
“This proposal is aimed at state-licensed therapists, operating their practice in the city, who are falsely claiming that being gay or transgender is a mental illness, and therefore taking advantage of parents and harming vulnerable youth,” said the city in a statement on Monday.
“This is a very proud moment for my administration, for members of City Council, and for everyone in Denver who values inclusion and acceptance,” Mayor Michael Hancock added.
Hancock was a big advocate for getting the practice banned, and orchestrated this city council vote.
As Hancock expressed before the vote:
“When my brother came out to our family all those years ago, we knew that our love and support was what he needed. All our LGBTQ+ youth here in Denver deserve the same, and they should be proud of who they are. We celebrate who they are, and they should feel welcome and that our city is open to them. Their safety, wellbeing and happiness are our highest priority with this proposal.”
That said, gay conversion therapy is only banned in the city of Denver. Anyone in another Colorado town/city is not so safe.
In addition, Colorado’s lawmakers have made four proposals to ban conversion therapy statewide, and all four proposals have failed so far.
h/t: KKTV 11 News, The Governing
