Two Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday
introduced a bill that seeks to prohibit therapies that attempt to
alter the sexual orientation or gender identity of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender youth.
Such therapies go by names such as
“conversion therapy,” “reparative therapy,” “sexual
orientation change efforts” or “ex-gay therapy.”
The bill was introduced by
Representative Ryan Fecteau, an openly gay Democrat from Biddeford,
and Senator Linda Sanborn, a Democrat from Gorham.
Lawmakers approved a similar bill last
year, only to have it vetoed by former Governor Paul LePage, a
Republican who said that he had “grave” concerns that the measure
could be interpreted “as a threat to an individual's religious
liberty.”
An effort to override LePage's veto
failed.
Democratic Governor Janet Mills was
sworn into office in January.
“With the return of real leadership
to Augusta, we have an opportunity to start fresh, build support for
this bill, and protect LGBTQ+ young people from this dangerous
'treatment' once and for all,” Equality Maine President Michael J.
Coon said in a statement.