Olmsted County issues resolution supporting conversion therapy ban in Minnesota

The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution today stating that conversion therapy is a discredited practice that is unethical and harmful. The board also indicated support of a statewide ban on the controversial practice.

Conversion therapy is a widely discredited practice in which practitioners attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity by employing psychological or spiritual interventions. The practice has been banned in 20 states and seven Minnesota cities. 

Conversion therapy is based on the presumption that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) is a mental disorder that can be cured or corrected. The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) have discredited this claim, citing that homosexuality and varied gender identity is not a mental illness and that attempting to change someone’s sexuality is unethical. 

The Rochester-Olmsted County Youth Commission played an integral role in bringing this issue before the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners and getting the resolution passed. 

“The Rochester-Olmsted County Youth Commission along with the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners believe that conversion therapy is a harmful practice that has no place in our community,” said Rochester-Olmsted County Youth Commission member Arhan Mehta. “Conversion therapy has been shown to cause serious and dangerous harms such as depression, increased suicidal behaviors, lowered self-esteem, anxiety, internalized homophobia, and unfortunately, the list goes on and on.” 

“Olmsted County aims to be a welcoming place for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities,” stated Rochester-Olmsted County Youth Commission member Shikha Kumar. “With today’s resolution, Olmsted County has delivered the message that all LGBTQ+ people in the county should be free from ineffective, fraudulent, and damaging treatment.” 

The Rochester-Olmsted County Youth Commission advocated on the topic of conversion therapy with both the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners and the Rochester City Council and appreciates the support from both groups. Also supporting this effort were the Zumbro Valley Medical Society, the Olmsted County Community Services Advisory Board, the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission, and the Olmsted County Public Health Services Advisory Board. 

“The Youth Commissioners are so thankful for support from the county board as well as the city council. Like all Youth Commission initiatives, addressing conversion therapy was an initiative that came directly from the hearts and minds of our young people,” said Program Coordinator of the Rochester-Olmsted County Youth Commission Mary Gorfine. “Youth Commissioners independently identify issues they believe need attention, and then get involved in the community to address them. My job as their coordinator is to help navigate the policies, politics, and networking to ensure their voices are heard. I am so very proud of them for bringing this important issue forward in our community.”