Conversion Therapy-Final Post

In a country that leans more liberal, Nebraska stays rooted in its conservative values. Views that have been accepted by most of the country like same-sex relationships are not the same views of many Nebraskans. To change their child’s understanding of their sexuality parents, send their kid away for Conversion Therapy, not knowing the horror’s that might be awaiting him or her. Ignorance isn’t an option anymore, and we as a state need to stand up to horrors of Conversion Therapy by outlawing it.

                In the United States, there have been 700,000 adults and teenagers that have undergone this treatment. Many scared and lonely not understanding what was about to happen. (Turban, 2018)

Upon arrival clients have any clothes deemed inappropriate taken from them. For men, this could be muscle shirts or clothes that are tight on them, and for women, this could be any clothes that take away their femininity. (Hicklin, 2018) On a regular basis, they here about what they’re doing is wrong, but that’s not where it stops.

To make sure clients understand the severity of their problem, they are exposed to the pain of electric shock. Like that isn’t enough, they are now put in front of a screen and forced to watch gay and lesbian pornographic situations. (Hicklin, 2018)The hope with all of this is the individual will be a heterosexual person.

But that’s not what’s happening.

Kids who go through conversion therapy, are ten times more likely to try and attempt suicide. (Turban, 2018) This is due to the guilt and shame they feel about their decision, that’s amplified through the therapy.

Nebraska Senator Megan Hunt looks to end this travesty in the state of Nebraska. She has been the leading spokeswoman against this therapy and even proposed a law to ban it. The goal was to get conversion therapy labeled as child abuse. Earlier this month she withdrew the bill, due to concerns that the bill would punish unknowing parents. (Press, 2019)

Megan plans to continue her work with conversion therapy, with the hope of one day seeing it banned.

                This is an issue that we as Nebraskan’s can’t take likely.

Whether you’re for or against same-sex relationships doesn’t matter, this isn’t about that. This is about the safety or hundreds of adults and teenagers across our state.

We need laws put in place that protect everyone from the dangers of conversion therapy. Specifically, against the use of electric shock and watching of pornography. To say we don’t want parents to get in trouble isn’t an excuse.

Parents and guardians need to step up and monitor where they are sending their kids for therapy. They don’t have to accept the behavior but sending them away to be mentally abused is not the option.

There are religious based therapy groups out there like Catholic Social Services that are good, you must go and find them. (Services, n.d.) With a law banning conversion therapy practices, we can weed out the bad therapist and leave the good ones standing. Something whether you’re on the right or left side, you can get behind.