Hohnke/Module8Story/ElectedOfficial

Edmond, OK- Oklahoma state Representative Sally Kern, is the author of a bill that aims
to protect the practice of gay conversion therapy in Oklahoma. According to The Oklahoman, the
bill will protect counseling to rid people of their attraction to their own gender. The bill will also
protect parents who want counseling for such children.
In a report by The Oklahoman, Kern said that there is no law currently banning the
practice in Oklahoma, but due to other states recent actions, the bill is needed to protect this type
of counseling. All across the nation, bills are being introduced to ban parents from having the
right to take their children for counseling if they are struggling with same-sex attractions, Kern
said. As you know, we do lots of bills that are pre-emptive, so this is pre-emptive to make sure
that parental rights are upheld.
According to the National Center for Lesbian Rights, therapists that practice gay
conversion therapy use techniques such as inducing nausea, vomiting, while showing the patient
homoerotic images. Other techniques they may use are inducing stereotypical thoughts, like
masculinity or femininity, in hopes to change their behavior.
In a report by the Oklahoman, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma Troy Freeman,
said the bill could cause harm to patients undergoing gay conversion therapy. When a legislator
has to amend a bill because its previous version includes the carte blanche to inflict physical pain
and electroshock therapy on children, you know we have a problem at the Capitol, said
Stevenson.
According to The Oklahoman, people who oppose the bill say conversion therapy can be
harmful to children leading to anxiety, depression, and suicide and other symptoms.

In a report by NBC news, Joseph Nicolosi, a therapist that has practiced conversion
therapy for 25 years, defends the practice for the patients who want to change. If a person wants
to be gay, and thinks he is gay, then thats perfectly fine, said Nicolosi. I want to be available
for those who want to change.
According to NBC news, supporters of the practice believe it is the proper way to
normalize those who feel they may be gay. They believe it could lead them to a life that isnt full
of discrimination and hatred.
Some states have banned the practice to protect the rights of children. According to the
National Center for Lesbian Rights, California, New Jersey, and Washington D.C have all
banned gay conversion therapy to protect youth from scientifically discredited efforts by statelicensed therapists to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Oklahoma has moved the gay conversion therapy bill to the full House, and it is expected
to be voted on in later months.

References:
#BornPerfect: The Facts About Conversion Therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2015, from
http://www.nclrights.org/bornperfect-the-facts-about-conversion-therapy/

Green, R. (2015, February 24). Gay conversion therapy bill clears Oklahoma House
committee. Retrieved February 25, 2015, from http://newsok.com/gay-conversiontherapy-bill-clears-oklahoma-house-committee/article/5396127
(Report from The Oklahoman)
Raftery, I. (2012, December 5). Therapists defend gay conversion counseling: 'You can't say
gay once, gay always' Retrieved February 26, 2015, from
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/05/15658164-therapists-defend-gayconversion-counseling-you-cant-say-gay-once-gay-always?lite
(Report from NBC news)