It’s official! Puerto Rico will join 15 States in the U.S. as it will ban conversion therapy for minors. After Puerto Rican governor, Ricardo Rosselló’s announcement last week to sign an executive order, the harmful practice will be banned within 90 days according to the HRC.
Puerto Rico joins 15 states and Washington, D.C. in protecting minors from the debunked practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” https://t.co/2po0mdRM4b pic.twitter.com/7mAx9NlDLv
— HRC (@HRC) March 27, 2019
Rosselló shared:
I believe in the acceptance and support of any initiative that rejects discrimination towards the most vulnerable and we declare public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to protect children through the eradication of these conversion or reparative therapies. Today we take a step forward to raise awareness among the people about this type of practice that causes pain and suffering. Love and respect should always prevail without distinction of sexual orientation, race, color or religion.
Rosselló’s executive order goes takes effect immediately and will require the administrator of Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration and the Secretary of Health, and the Secretary of Economic Development and Trade to issue strict regulations within 90 days to all licensed health care facilities and their workers.
HRC Senior Legislative Counsel, Xavier Persad says:
We commend Governor Rossello for his leadership in issuing this order to protect LGBTQ minors in Puerto Rico. The dangerous and debunked practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ not only doesn’t work — it can have life-threatening consequences. This is why it has been condemned by every major medical association in our country. Puerto Rico now joins 15 other states and the District of Columbia in protecting LGBTQ minors from this despicable practice and sending a message that these youth should be affirmed and embraced.
In January, New York became the 15th state to put into place laws prohibiting conversion therapy on minors.
