Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order Tuesday to ban conversion therapy, a discredited form of therapy that seeks to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity, for minors.
The executive order directs state agencies to discourage conversion therapy for people of all ages, and to instead promote evidence-based practices for supporting LGBTQ people.
The order also directs the Department of Human Services, among other agencies, to ensure that state funds are not being used to provide or reimburse for conversion therapy.
Survivors of conversion therapy have said that it can include talk therapy and being urged to take on traditional gender roles.
Mathew Shurka, a conversion therapy survivor and co-founder of Born Perfect, a national campaign to end conversion therapy, said Wolf is "taking a critical step to protect LGBTQ minors" in Pennsylvania.
The governor's executive order cited research that has found conversion therapy contributes to negative mental health outcomes among LGBTQ youth.
The number was higher for transgender and nonbinary young people, 18% of whom reported being subjected to conversion therapy. »
