On December 11, 2023, the Commission submitted to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Health Committee its letter in support of House Bill (“HB”) 575. HB 575 would prohibit mental health professionals in Pennsylvania from engaging in the practice of conversion therapy with individuals under the age of 18. Conversion therapy aims to change the sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of LGBTQ+ children. Because the practice has been conclusively shown to harm the mental health of members of the LGBTQ+ community, it is often referred to as conversion “abuse.” Along with the other letters the Commission has submitted to legislators in the current legislative session, our letter in support of HB 575 is designed to protect the safety and dignity of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.
The Pennsylvania Interbranch Commission
for Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Fairness
