Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills today signed legislation banning the harmful practice of conversion therapy in the state of Maine. The bill earned bipartisan support in the Maine Legislature. The practice of conversion therapy is condemned by the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and American Medical Association. A similar ban was passed in the Legislature last year but was vetoed by then-Gov. LePage. Last year, Democratic governors in Washington, Hawaii, and Delaware signed conversion therapy bans and were joined by New York and Puerto Rico this year. Colorado’s Democratic governor is expected to sign a conversion therapy ban on Friday.
Read coverage of the signing ceremony and the impact of the ban below:
Portland Press Herald: Gov. Mills signs bill outlawing ‘conversion therapy’
Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill Wednesday making Maine the 17th state to ban so-called “conversion therapy” that attempts to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors. Mills, a Democrat, signed the bill while surrounded by legislators, young people and advocates for Maine’s LGBTQ community who were involved in the multi-year effort to enact a ban on conversion therapy.
WMTM ABC8: Conversion therapy ban in Maine signed into law
Supporters said the ban protects young people from the practice of trying to change their sexual orientation. “By signing this bill into law today, we send an unequivocal message to young LGBTQ people in Maine and across the country: we stand with you, we support you, and we will always defend your right to be who you are,” Mills said.
AP: Maine governor OKs ban on gay conversion therapy for minors
Maine banned gay conversion therapy for minors on Wednesday, joining more than a dozen other states that have outlawed the controversial practice. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed the bill Wednesday, and it will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns next month.
