SR0010 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0010 LRB104 06047 ECR 16080 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, is a practice that falsely claims to change an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression through psychological or physical intervention; and

WHEREAS, Conversion therapy has been discredited by every major medical and mental health organization, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Medical Association; and

WHEREAS, Conversion therapy has been linked to long-term mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, and these are all issues that disproportionately affect the LGBTQ+ community; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly passed the Youth Mental Health Protection Act in 2015 to prohibit licensed professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with minors and to safeguard Illinois youth from practices that have been scientifically proven to cause emotional and psychological harm, including increased risks of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide among LGBTQ+ individuals; and

WHEREAS, The year 2025 marks the 10-year anniversary of this landmark piece of legislation that demonstrates Illinois' leadership in the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights; and

WHEREAS, Despite significant progress, the practice of conversion therapy still exists throughout Illinois and continues to falsely advertise itself as a legitimate therapeutic intervention, often targeting vulnerable LGBTQ+ adults; and

WHEREAS, Although Illinois recognizes the harms caused by conversion therapy and the fact that the practice is illegitimate, there is no statewide ban on the practice applying to adults; and

WHEREAS, The New Jersey Superior Court, in a landmark ruling in Ferguson v. JONAH, determined that the provisions of conversion therapy meet all of the standard elements for a consumer fraud claim; and

WHEREAS, Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or otherwise belonging to a marginalized community based on sexual orientation or gender identity is not a mental defect or a condition that can or should be cured; and

WHEREAS, It is essential to protect adults, as well as minors, from this fraudulent and harmful practice in order to safeguard the health and well-being of all Illinois residents, particularly those within the LGBTQ+ community; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative for the Illinois General Assembly, as a guardian of public health and safety, to take a firm stance against conversion therapy to ensure that Illinois remains a safe and supportive environment for all residents, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals; allowing conversion therapy to persist unchecked undermines the integrity of licensed healthcare professionals and poses a public health risk; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we condemn the practice of conversion therapy on any population as unethical and fraudulent, and we assert that no licensed professional operating in the State of Illinois should engage in this practice, whether with minors or adults, as it violates the ethical standards of professional behavioral healthcare; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we condemn conversion therapy as described herein, regardless of the target population or how the service is marketed or titled; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we acknowledge that conversion therapy is not a legitimate form of therapy but is a dangerous and discredited practice that has no place in a professional setting, and that any professional engaging in such practices is in violation of the ethical guidelines governing their licensure; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the Illinois Department of Public Health to launch a statewide public awareness campaign to educate communities about the harms of conversion therapy and its fraudulent nature, to collaborate with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to investigate and hold accountable practitioners offering conversion therapy under false pretenses, to develop guidelines for healthcare professionals to recognize, report, and prevent practices associated with conversion therapy, and to support outreach initiatives to connect survivors of conversion therapy with affirming mental health resources; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.