Add popular votes to the measure to ban conversion therapies

Popular senators Juan Zaragoza and Migdalia González confirmed on Sunday that they will vote in favor of Senate Law 184 to ban conversion therapies in Puerto Rico, a practice considered by mental health experts to be harmful to those affected.

They are the first two members of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) delegation to the Senate to publicly take a stand for the measure, recognizing that major mental health organizations in the United States have reiterated that the different modalities of conversion therapies pose a threat. the well-being of individuals, both mental and physical.

“I am in favor of the measure because what conversion therapies do is harm people undergoing this process, understand the minors, who are the people we are trying to protect,” González, PPD Senator for Accumulation, said in statements. El Nuevo. Día.

The so-called conversion therapy or reparative therapy is defined as any attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

González pointed out that the individuals subjected to these practices “are not only often rejected by their families, but by receiving this type of therapy, they feel they have abandoned their family and society.”

Zaragoza, for his part, said he would vote for Project 184. “So far it is a yes. I am in favor of banning conversion therapies, ”he said, adding that exactly today he read in detail the measure that will be discussed at public hearings on March 24 and 26.

“For me, that kind of therapy borders on abuse. I am a father, I have a daughter. I would never subject a child of mine to any form of conversion therapy, ”the Senator for Accumulation said. The new day published on Saturday testimonials from conversion therapy victims in Puerto Rico.

Both lawmakers insisted that Bill 184 has not been discussed in the popular majority Senate caucus, but said they were willing to push for a ban on conversion therapies at the time of discussion.

Humacao District Senator Rosamar Trujillo, for her part, said that “as a social worker I don’t believe in conversion therapies” and said she was in favor of Project 184. However, it was not categorical in answering what would be a vote. The senator said she was analyzing the changes to the Safety, Welfare and Protection of Minors Act proposed by the measure, “to also make recommendations.”

Meanwhile, Senate President José Luis Dalmau was unavailable for the second day in a row to answer questions from these media outlets about the proposed ban on conversion therapies. Marially González, psychologist and senatorial vice president, was also unavailable. The American Psychological Association, the leading organization for the profession in the United States, opposes conversion therapies. Other lawmakers have also not responded since yesterday.

About three popular senators opposed Project 184 on Saturday, claiming conversion therapies do not exist on the island, despite testimony from members of the LGBTTIQ community who have been victims of conversion therapies in Puerto Rico. They are the Senator for Guayama, Albert Torres Berríos; the senator for Aguadilla-Mayagüez, Ada García Montes; and the senator for Arecibo, Rubén Soto.

Human rights activist Pedro Julio Serrano urged the popular delegation to the Senate to “educate itself” about what conversion therapies are and their effects on the victims of the practice in all its forms. Serrano reiterated that these are “harmful, cruel and inhumane” practices.

“It seems incredible that three popular senators have spoken out against banning conversion therapies, especially when using the false arguments of fundamentalist groups. These therapies threaten the health, wellbeing and safety of children and young people in Puerto Rico, ”the activist said. “The population must be on the right side of history and vote to ban this child abuse,” said Serrano.