A law change in North Carolina calls into question a widespread practice here in South Carolina.
What’s known as “gay conversation therapy” or “reparative therapy” is a controversial practice by which young men and women are offered supposed “cures” for their attraction to individuals of their own sexual orientation.
Promising so-called “roadmaps to heterosexuality” through prayer and other moethods, the practice has ardent supporters from many faith-based organizations, but is deemed harmful and psychologically traumatizing by members of the LGBT community.
Just last week North Carolina banned public funding of conversation therapy for minors, making it the first Southern state to do so.
Fox’s Jill Nado reported that this comes after an order from Governor Roy Cooper.
“Cooper’s office says conversion therapy has been shown to pose serious health risks,” Nado noted. “Proponents often include Conservative Christians who use prayer and eversion therapy techniques to try to convert people into heterosexuals.”
In the aftermath of Governor Cooper’s order, activists are calling on other southern states, including South Carolina, to follow North Carolina’s lead.
The practice remains common, however, including right here in the Upstate.