Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued executive orders to stop therapists from providing so-called "gay conversion therapy" for New York minors.
Gay rights groups are applauding the move, but others say barring the treatment limits options and undermines individuals’ religious liberty.
Conversion therapy claims to reverse some people's same-sex attraction, but Scott Fearing, executive director of the Gay Alliance in Rochester, says mental health professionals have long known that one cannot change their sexual orientation.
"These services oftentimes try to focus on behavior and even admit that the person may still be a homosexual, but they can make them behave like a heterosexual, so they will encourage them to get into relationships and marriages that are, quite frankly, unethical and insincere."
Jason McGuire, executive director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, a statewide Christian Advocacy group based in Rochester, believes the governor is inappropriately using his executive power to enact regulations that did not win the approval of the legislature.
"And it's interesting, coming from the same governor, he believes that a child in sixth grade has the right to seek a legal abortion - a surgical procedure - and he has no problem with that child making that decision on their own without parental involvement, but will not allow a child with parental involvement to experience counseling for unwanted same-sex attractions."
Governor Cuomo’s regulations were issued through The New York State Department of Financial Services, which is barring New York insurers from providing coverage for conversion therapy given to an individual under the age of 18.
Additionally, the New York State Department of Health is prohibiting coverage of conversion therapy under New York’s Medicaid program and the New York State Office of Mental Health is issuing regulations prohibiting facilities under its jurisdiction from providing conversion therapy treatment to minors.
Fearing would like to see New York follow five other states that have banned the conversion therapy practices altogether for minors.
"Now, when it comes to consensual adults who are maybe wrestling with their issues - if that's a program they want to pursue, I'm all for it," Fearing said. "But I think it's really harmful, and we've seen some very dangerous outcomes, when adolescents are forced into these programs."
Fearing said conversion therapy treatment is often based on shame and blame, and can tear apart families and lead to depression, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse and risky behavior.
Fearing is not personally aware of any Rochester individuals who have undergone conversion therapy treatment, but McGuire said there are some local Christian counselors who offer the therapy.
