I am writing to support restrictions - and an outright ban - on sexual orientation conversion therapy in all forms in the Commonwealth: talk therapy, aversion therapy, methods of healing from homosexuality.

Conversion therapy is opposed by most major professional health and mental health
organizations. In fact, scientific research has found that sexual orientation change efforts are
detrimental to personal and public health.

Minors deserve special protections from abuse and other negative actions that put them at long­term risk of endangering themselves or others.

Last year, a group of young women were canvassing my neighborhood to raise money for a home for wayward teens.  They were handing out testimonials of "success" stories from their graduates with quotes saying how the home helped them with issues like drinking, smoking, and addiction.  One of the testimonials from a young woman said that the home had cured her from lesbianism.

I can only imagine the trauma this young girl suffered and will suffer the rest of her life as a result of sexual orientation conversion therapy.

Variance in sexual orienation is not a mental disorder.  We need to support affirmative practices and stop looking at sexual orienation as something to be cured.

I serve as Vice-Chair of the LGBTQA Caucus of the Virginia Young Democrats, and Vice Chair for Membership of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia. Both of these organizations have long advocated for a ban on this harmful practice through the leglislative process. We are hopeful that this important public health issue will now be addressed through the regulatory process. 

Thank you. 

Luke