Members of the New Hampshire Senate on May 12, 2016, approved a bill that would ban conversion therapy to minors in the state. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
WMUR, a New Hampshire television, reported that 10 Democrats and six Republicans voted for House Bill 1661. The state Senate earlier in the day voted to place a hold on the measure.
The Concord Monitor reported that gay state Sen. David Pierce (D-Etna) spoke about his struggles to accept his sexual orientation. The Democrat also pointed out statistics that show gay and lesbian teenagers are more likely to take their lives if they undergo conversion therapy compared to those who don’t.
“I worked my way through it, but there was no person sitting next to me telling me I was sick and needed to be cured,” said Pierce, according to the Concord Monitor newspaper.
Governor Maggie Hassan, who is running against U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), applauded HB 1661’s passage.
“I am proud that the New Hampshire State Senate was able to work together to pass this critical bill that will ban the harmful and scientifically unsound practice of conversion therapy on minors,” said Hassan in a statement she posted to her Facebook page. “This bipartisan bill builds on our continued efforts to include and fully protect the rights of all of our citizens and sends the important message to our young people that they can be who they are, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.”
D.C., California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon and Vermont currently ban conversion therapy to minors. Lawmakers in Virginia, Colorado and other states have debated the issue over the last year.
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