Hawaii Makes Moves to Ban Gay Conversion Therapy for Minors On Friday, the state’s House and Senate passed a bill that would prevent medical professionals from using the procedure on anyone under the age of 18. The bill, named SB 270, says the practice is not scientifically valid and can cause a range of mental health issues like depression, suicidality and anxiety. Hawaii will become the 12th state to ban the practice. “The purpose of this Act is to protect the physical and psychological well-being of minors, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, against exposure to serious harms caused by sexual orientation change efforts.” Religious and spiritual advisors are exempt from the legislation.
