A University of Minnesota student who experienced extreme anti-gay bullying growing up has launched a Change.org petition urging Minnesota to become the third state to ban ex-gay therapy, behind New Jersey and California.
That student, Alec Fisher, has secured over 82,000 signatures for the petition and has already drafted language for a bill that would ban the practice in Minnesota with the help of State Representative Karen Clark (DFL-Minneapolis). Both hope to have the bill introduced before the legislative session begins in February.
"This bill is about saving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender kids in the state of Minnesota," said Fischer, who chronicled his and other students' stories of bullying in a Kickstarter documentary film, Minnesota Nice?
GLAAD, which worked closely to help pass the ex-gay therapy ban in New Jersey earlier this year, said that Fischer's work in Minnesota is critical in creating a culture accepting of all kids.
"The vast majority of Americans, including every scientific and medical professional association, are aware of how harmful and dangerous so-called 'ex-gay' therapy is for LGBT people and their loved ones, said Ross Murray, GLAAD's Director of News. "The fact that this practice hasn't been banned is a grave injustice that is quickly righting itself."
To sign the petition (and help get Marcus Bachmann unemployed), click HERE.
