Call Your Senator and Senate Leadership This Week in Support of
Legislation to Prohibit So-Called “Conversion Therapy” for Minors:
Urge Bill Be Brought to the Senate Floor for a Vote before the end of session
Background: So-called “conversion therapy” is a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Such practices have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades, but due to continuing discrimination and societal bias against LGBTQ people, some practitioners continue to conduct conversion therapy. Minors are especially vulnerable, and conversion therapy can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide.
NYAPRS is joined by a broad array of national and state advocacy groups in repudiating ‘conversion’ therapy, recognizing the serious harm it can have on minors, including increased risk of depression, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, social withdrawal, and self-loathing.
That’s why we’re urging you to take action this week to advocate for the passage and enactment of S.263 in order to prohibit mental health professionals licensed by New York State from engaging in so-called “conversion therapy.”
Please Call Your NYS Senator and Senate Leadership This Week!
The end of the Legislative Session is on the horizon. While the Assembly has approved legislation banning such therapy, it is imperative you call your Senator and Senate leadership this week to urge the bill be brought to the Senate floor.
Please call:
(1)Your Senator: To find out who your Senator is, enter your address at: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator. Then call the Senate switchboard at (518) 455-2800 and ask to be connected to your Senator’s office.
(2)Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan – (518) 455-2071
(3)Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein – Albany Office Number: (518) 455-3595
(4)Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins – Albany Office Number: (518) 455-2585
(5)Senate Robert Ortt, Chair of the Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee – The bill is currently pending in the Senator’s committee. – (518) 455-2024
“I’m a registered voter from (your locality) calling to urge you to ensure that LGBTQ New Yorkers are not subjected to the horrific effects of discredited and dangerous conversion therapy that is aimed at changing a person’s sexual identity. Please make sure that S.263 is brought to a vote this week!”
THANK YOU!