Colorado House moves to ban gay conversion therapy

The Colorado House has given initial approval to barring mental health professionals from practicing gay-conversation therapy with patients under 18.

The House advanced the bill on an unrecorded voice vote Friday. The bill prohibits therapists from trying to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Therapists who disobey would face disciplinary action from their licensing board.

The sponsor is Democratic Rep. Paul Rosenthal, a gay lawmaker from Denver. He says the goal is for therapists to help youths accept who they are, not who the therapists may think they are.

One more vote sends the bill to the Senate.

Rosenthal says New Jersey and California have passed legislation banning gay conversation therapy.

Republicans worry therapists could be punished for merely being perceived as trying to change someone’s sexual orientation.