SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur Friday morning, following a report by the Los Angeles Times on Assemblymember Evan Low’s (D-Campbell) AB 2943, which the civil rights organization co-sponsored:
“So-called ‘conversion therapy’ is a harmful, ineffective solution in search of a problem that doesn’t exist. To charge the most vulnerable members of our community money for these services isn’t just dangerous — it’s fraudulent. That’s why we’re proud of the bipartisan support we’ve received for AB 2943 and deeply grateful to Assemblymember Low for his leadership. California’s LGBTQ community and survivors of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ everywhere are lucky to have such a stalwart champion. “This is an important issue, and one that we’re committed to getting right. We look forward to working with Assemblymember Low to continue this conversation with Californians across the state and leaders from the medical, mental health, civil rights and faith communities. In the meantime, California’s existing consumer protection laws continue to safeguard the LGBTQ community against these dangerous, discredited and fraudulent practices.”
“So-called ‘conversion therapy’ is a harmful, ineffective solution in search of a problem that doesn’t exist. To charge the most vulnerable members of our community money for these services isn’t just dangerous — it’s fraudulent. That’s why we’re proud of the bipartisan support we’ve received for AB 2943 and deeply grateful to Assemblymember Low for his leadership. California’s LGBTQ community and survivors of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ everywhere are lucky to have such a stalwart champion.
“This is an important issue, and one that we’re committed to getting right. We look forward to working with Assemblymember Low to continue this conversation with Californians across the state and leaders from the medical, mental health, civil rights and faith communities. In the meantime, California’s existing consumer protection laws continue to safeguard the LGBTQ community against these dangerous, discredited and fraudulent practices.”
The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth and a co-sponsor of AB 2943, released the following statement from Senior Fellow for Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Trevor Project Casey Pick, Esq.:
“As The Trevor Project continues to hear from conversion therapy survivors in California who use our suicide prevention and crisis services, we applaud Assemblymember Evan Low for his longstanding efforts to protect LGBTQ youth from the discredited practice. Year after year, Low introduces legislation like AB 2943 that saves thousands of young LGBTQ lives, a guiding principle we strongly support at The Trevor Project as we work to end suicide among LGBTQ youth.”
The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) released the following statement from Legal Director Shannon Minter:
“Evan Low is a champion for LGBT people whose lives have been devastated by the fraudulent practice of conversion therapy. His leadership has sent a clear message to the charlatans who exploit vulnerable consumers based on false claims that therapy can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. We are grateful for his tireless efforts to ensure that every Californian understands that these practices are fraudulent and that those who engage in them for money are violating California law.”
For additional information about AB 2943, including answers to a list of frequently asked questions, please visit www.eqca.org/ab2943.
###
Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
