So-called “conversion therapy" is a discredited and dangerous and practice aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, neither of which are CHOICES a person makes and therefore cannot be changed. "Heteronomativity" is the false idea that any orientation other than heterosexual or "traditional" gender roles and expressions are inherently wrong or deviant, which is completely false and a limited way of seeing the world. 

The guidance supporting a ban protects young people from state-licensed therapists who falsely and egregiously claim that being LGBTQ is a mental illness, and spreading false and harmful information to parents and harming vulnerable youth, often causing further and deeper trauma around their identities. Sometimes this trauma can lead to depression, anxiety, unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance or alcohol abuse, or even suicide. No young person should ever be shamed by a mental health professional into thinking that who they are is wrong. Mental health professionals should provide care that is ethical and affirming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERSONAL beliefs that may not support an LGBTQIA+ identity.

Every person deserves to live their lives with dignity and respect in the ways they choose to express themselves in ways that do not cause harm to others. Allowing people to live as their authentic selves creates happier, more productive humans, and we can always use more of them.