District of Columbia Outlaws "Ex-Gay" Torture

The National Center for Lesbian Rights sends this press release regarding the District of Columbia Council  which has unanimously approved a bill that will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth from the discredited and torturous practice of conversion therapy, also known as "ex-gay" therapy:

When signed into law, Washington, D.C. will become the third jurisdiction—behind California and New Jersey—to pass legislation protecting LGBT youth from practices that are known to cause severe depression and even suicide.

“Today, the DC Council sent a powerful message to LGBT youth and their families that they are accepted, supported, and loved,” said Samantha Ames, NCLR staff attorney and coordinator of the #BornPerfect campaign at the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR).

“The Council has used its authority to protect our most vulnerable youth from dangerous and discredited pseudoscience that tells them who they are is wrong, and reaffirmed the consensus of every major medical and mental health organization that all children are born perfect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”