AUSTIN (1080 KRLD) - In Austin, the House is considering a bill that would outlaw the controversial practice of conversion therapy for minors in Texas.
The aim is to make gay people straight and it's banned for minors in 16 states. Curtis Smith was 18 when he started conversion therapy.
"At the time I was happy to find ministries that said yes, your being gay is not an unforgivable sin. At the time I felt it was an unforgivable sin. It could be forgiven and repaired and fixed, is what they implied."
It took years and years before he was comfortable embracing his sexual orientation and is now a minister at an inclusive Grand Prairie church.
He says even if the state house votes on a ban, it won't do much, "They're just going to do a lighter version. They're going to use language to say we're offering healing. We're offering an opportunity for you to get closer to God."
The bill was introduced by State representative Celia Israel. She told her colleagues that she considered suicide at 17 because she was a lesbian.
It's the third time she submitted the legisation and the first it's been heard.
