Oregon is poised to become the third
state, plus the District of Columbia, to prohibit therapies that
attempt to alter the sexuality or gender identity of LGBT youth.
The bill, HB 2307, cleared the Oregon
Senate on Thursday. House members approved the measure in March.
Governor Kate Brown, the nation's first
openly bisexual governor, has not said whether she will sign the bill
into law. However supporters believe she will.
Opponents have challenged similar laws
in California and New Jersey. But the U.S. Supreme Court has refused
to review lower court decisions upholding the bans.
(Related: Supreme
Court won't hear challenge to New Jersey's ban on “ex-gay”
therapy to minors.)
Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the
Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights
advocate, said that HRC will continue to push for similar therapy
bans in other states.
“Psychological abuse has no place in
therapy, no matter the intention,” Warbelow
said. “While the LGBT youth in Oregon will soon be protected
once this bill is signed into law, HRC and our allies are committed
to making sure these kinds of protections are secured in every
state.”