Puerto Rico is debating banning conversion therapies because of sexual orientation, a practice considered harmful by some mental health experts and against which Senate Law 184 is promoted.
The debate, which continues on Wednesday between supporters and opponents of the initiative currently being processed in the legislature, reached the governor himself, Pedro Pierluisi, who spoke to indicate that he is against these so-called conversion therapies and that he will do so. . don’t hesitate to sign the bill to make it law when it finally gets into the hands of the legislature.
“I will have to see what happens in the legislative process, but if a measure comes to my office, I am promoting something that is already well known, that I am against running conversion therapies,” said the head of the executive.
So-called conversion therapies are defined as any attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
The American Psychological Association, the leading organization for the profession in the United States, opposes conversion therapies.
Also, in 2018, the Puerto Rico Psychology Association emphasized that conversion therapies have been scientifically proven to not reduce or eliminate the person’s psychological symptoms.
MAY CAUSE SUICIDE IDEAS
This entity, on the other hand, defends that this type of treatment can provoke suicidal ideas and attempts.
The practice has been banned in 20 states of the US, and in Puerto Rico the legislature appreciates the possibility of the ban, which has caused controversy between those who support it and its opponents.
Within the executive branch, Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Carlos Mellado, agreed with Pierluisi, saying that his office should go against anything harmful to the physical and mental health of any human being.
Senators from the opposition Popular Democratic Party (PPD) Juan Zaragoza and Migdalia González have already expressed support for Senate Law 184 to ban conversion therapies in Puerto Rico.
TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE
Zaragoza told Efe on Wednesday that exposing minors to conversion therapies to change their gender identity can be a traumatic experience that should not be tolerated.
“This is why I am in favor of banning conversion therapies. Project 184 in no way affects a father’s decision to raise his children under the dogmas of his religion,” the legislature qualified on an issue. which will be seen during public hearings in the Senate between 24 and 26 this month.
However, several PPD senators recently publicly opposed Project 184, claiming that conversion therapies do not exist on the island, despite testimony from members of the LGBT community that they have been victims of such practices.
The PPD senators opposing are Guayama’s, Albert Torres Berríos; the senator for Aguadilla-Mayagüez, Ada García, and the senator for Arecibo, Rubén Soto.
THE TEXT OF THE PROJECT IS NOT CLEAR
Janise Santiago, a member of the Board of Directors of the Project Dignity Party who is considered by some to be ultra-conservative, told Efe that the first thing that needs to be clarified is that the text of Senate Law 184 is not clear, which from her point of view it does not make it easier to take a stand.
Santiago clarified that what he believes is abusive does not give a child the opportunity to make decisions that he may later regret.
He said that even young people between the ages of 20 and 25 are still trying to identify themselves in terms of sexual orientation, and so children or adolescents should, for much more reason, be guided by specialists if they are unsure of which path. to follow, continue with.
For this reason, he argued that “we cannot be in favor of this project,” which he believes prohibits health professionals from helping children and adolescents with their sexual orientation.
However, Santiago clarified that, as can be understood, his education rejects any practice aimed at suppressing a particular sexual orientation, including violence, castration, or any similar method.