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Proposed conversion therapy ban shot down, advocates vow to continue fight for LGBT youth

With his argument that religious liberty was under threat, Governor LePage's veto of a conversion therapy ban was upheld in the Legislature

AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER Maine) – Maine is getting national attention after a proposed ban on gay conversion therapy failed to become law.

It was one of more than 20 bills vetoed by Governor Paul LePage last week making him the first governor in the country to veto such a ban.

LePage called it a “threat to an individual’s religious liberty."

Advocates say the ban would provide crucial protection to Maine’s vulnerable LGBT population.

"Since there is no pathology, there is no need for conversion,” Dr. Mark Allen at Acadia Hospital in Bangor said.

Allen said he works with LGBT youth every day as they navigate the challenges of accepting their identity. He said the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry does not condone conversion therapy as there is “no scientific credibility” to support it.

"Just because you have a different gender expression than someone else doesn't mean that you aren't entitled to a wonderful life,” Allen said.

The number of states banning the practice continues to grow. Thirteen states now ban conversion therapy, including at least six states with Republican governors.

"I was at the most desperate place in my life,” Randy Cathcart said.

Cathcart first spoke to NEWS CENTER Maine in April about his experience with conversion therapy. He had hoped his voice would urge lawmakers in Augusta to pass legislation, as he saw it, to protect future generations.

Governor LePage argued in his veto message that the proposed legislation was “so broad that licensed professionals would be prohibited from counseling an individual even at the individual's own request.”

The Governor’s office told NEWS CENTER Maine that LePage was too busy for an interview on the matter Monday.

"The Governor has a long history of making hateful comment towards LGBT people and specifically toward LGBT kids so certainly not a surprise but of course a disappointment,” Matt Moonen with Equality Maine said.

Moonen, a Democratic state representative, said he and other supporters intend to try to get legislation passed once Governor LePage leaves office.

Meanwhile, mental health experts like Mark Allen said they plan to continue to support LGBT youth regardless of whether or not a conversion therapy ban is passed into law.

"Homosexuality is not an illness,” Dr. Allen said.

For more resources for LGBT youth and parents, as well as where you can find help visit acadiacares.com.

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