NFFV Action Request

Upcoming Health and Human Services

Committee Hearing

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

1:30 PM, Room 1510

Oppose

LB179 Prohibit Conversion Therapy

Who is impacted by this bill?

This legislation attempts to control medical providers who hold credentials in the following areas; "a person holding a credential under the Medicine and Surgery Practice Act, the Mental Health Practice Act, the Nurse Practice Act, the Pharmacy Practice Act, or the Psychology Practice Act".

The bill exclude "clergy member or religious counselor who is acting in a pastoral or religious capacity and not in the capacity of a health care professional".

The bill only applies to individuals under nineteen (19) years of age.

Why is there a national push to prohibit conversion therapy?

If you conduct a causal internet search on conversion therapy you'll only find information on how it doesn't work and how harmful it is to the individual. Some articles allude the biggest culprits of conversion therapy are: parents, medical providers, and religious counselors (Is this why schools now try to hide student gender identity from parents?). The referenced harm of conversion therapy is sited as increased suicided rates.

Deeper research cast doubt on the narrative that individuals are harmed by conversion therapy. The Family Research Council has several articles on this subject. A couple are highlighted here:

• 79 Key Studies Provide No Scientific Proof That Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) Are Usually Harmful
• The Hidden Truth About Changing Sexual Orientation: Ten Ways Pro-LGBT Sources Undermine the Case for Therapy Bans

Both articles are informative and worthwhile to read.

Conversion therapy - good or bad?

Deciding whether conversion therapy is good or bad may seem difficult. Actions with the best of intention can turn out bad. Actions done in the wrong way will undoubtedly harm individuals undergoing conversion therapy, or any medical treatment for that matter. Remember, conversion therapy is nothing more than talking with a child about choices they're facing now or will at some point in the future. Having conversion is something that happens in every family as a child develops from an infant to a young adult. It's called nurturing.

This bill prohibits discussion by medical providers on the specific topic of sexual orientation and gender identity. What's concerning is the possibility of legislative creep. What will be the next legislation to come down? Parents being prohibited to talk to their child about this subject. What other subjects will get prohibited? These are real concerns.

How to be heard? 

Take action, your voice is powerful make it heard. LB179 committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

How to be heard? Here are three ways:

• Most Effective: Testify in person. Going to the Committee hearing and sharing YOUR story with committee member Senators is very impactful. For first time in person testifier here are some helpful hints. 
• Very Effective: Submit written testimony. If you can't be there in person then submit written testimony. Not sure how to do that, click here. Note; written testimony needs to be submitted by noon the business day before the committee hearing.
• Effective: Email your position letter to the Committee Senators and CC your own Senator. For a listing of the Health and Human Services Committee Senators click here. Note; emails need to be sent by noon the business day before the committee hearing. It's not likely these emails will be included in official hearing minutes though there is a better chance Committee Senators will see your comments. You can request they be added to meeting minutes in your email to Committee Senators.

Not sure what to say?

Listed below are thought starters. Build your story around one or two of them. Quantity is not as important as a short heart felt personal story.

Here are three strong arguments to oppose this legislation:



• Being a parent is about nurturing, guiding your child as they grow and mature. A parent should never have to worry if the subject they need to discuss is prohibited or not. Specially when they seek professional help from a Medical Provider.

• The bill would muzzle medical providers. All providers could do is agree with a patient even if the patient is harming themself. This is particularly true when it comes to children (under 19) wanting to transition.

• This bill opens the door for more legislation. In states with similar bills, some believe the bills didn't go far enough by only prohibiting medical providers.