Banning Gay And Transgender "Conversion Therapy" In Ontario

Inspired by the suicide of an Ohio trans teen who was sent to therapists to "fix her," NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo has tabled - and received full party support - for a bill that would ban any attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ youth in Ontario.

"Conversion Therapy" are treatments which try to change a person's gender identity and/or sexual orientation.

BuzzFeed / Via ak-hdl.buzzfed.com

Last December, Leelah Alcorn, a 17 year old transgender youth wrote a suicide note, posted it on Tumblr and then walked out to a highway in front of a semi-truck tragically ending her life.

In her suicide post, Leelah explained how her parents had forced her to attend conversion therapy in an attempt to change her gender identity.

At the end of her note was this plea: "My death needs to be counted in the number of transgender people who commit suicide this year. I want someone to look at that number and say “that’s fucked up” and fix it. Fix society. Please."

Inspired by Leelah's story, NDP Member of the Ontario Legislature Cheri DiNovo wants the province to ban "conversion therapy" for minors.

Via d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net

DiNovo also wants the treatment to be removed from the province's health care plan, so taxpayers aren't supporting it. "I think most Ontarians would be shocked to know that we're paying for this, never mind that it's still going on," says DiNovo.

While technically there is no billing code under OHIP for conversion therapy, doctors could be getting away with charging taxpayers for the 'service' by reporting it as therapy, since physicians bill based on activity or time span.

Premier Kathleen Wynne has spoken out in support of the bill saying, "The concept of conversion therapy contrasts starkly with the fundamental values on which Ontario is built."

Via troymedia.com

Wynne, Ontario's first female and openly gay Premier continued: "It's so important we make it clear that people have the right to be who they are."

President Obama has also called for an end to the use of conversion therapy for minors.

Via Twitter: @WhiteHouse

Yesterday The White House tweeted about it, even hashtagging "LeelahsLaw".