Utah is close to banning gay conversion therapy after receiving the backing of the influential Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Utah is set to become the 19th state in the country to ban conversion therapy after the state legislature failed to pass a similar bill earlier in the year. GOP Gov. Gary Herbert announced a regulatory rule on Tuesday that would accomplish much of what was drafted in the legislation, according to the Associated Press.
[Related: Founder of conversion therapy organization comes out as gay and apologizes]
“I have learned much through this process,” Herbert said in a statement. “The stories of youth who have endured these so-called therapies are heart rending, and I’m grateful that we have found a way forward that will ban conversion therapy forever in our state.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormon Church, did not take a stance on the earlier legislation. The state government secured the church’s support by including a provision in the rule that would allow therapists in the church to provide spiritual support and counseling for families seeking it.
A church official called the proposed rule “a good solution which will work for all concerned.”
“We are opposed to conversion therapy and our therapists do not practice it,” church director of government relations Marty Stephens said in a statement. “However, we are grateful for the clarifications the new rule provides, and we support its adoption.”
Gay and transgender organizations in Utah also championed the proposed rule.
“On this Thanksgiving week, I’m grateful that this new rule will protect Utah’s LGBTQ+ children and minors by banning conversion therapy,” Encircle CEO Stephenie Larsen said in a statement. “We fully support its adoption, and believe this is the best way forward.”
