Pedro Pierluisi says he is “against conversion therapies”

Governor Pedro Pierluisi said Monday that he is against so-called “conversion therapies” and is preparing to ban them by law in Puerto Rico if a measure banning them reaches his La Fortaleza office.

“I have long been against conversion therapies,” the chief executive said.

So-called conversion or reparative therapy is defined as any attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The United Nations (UN) has recognized so-called conversion therapies as forms of torture, as well as “discriminatory, cruel, inhuman and degrading.” Likewise, the main professional organizations of psychology, psychiatry and social work have reiterated and scientifically demonstrated that these methods are harmful, in their various forms, putting their victims, mainly children and young people, in potential danger of emotional and physical harm.

“Based on all this information and much more, including the language of our own Constitution, I am against conversion therapies and this has been my constant position, it has not changed.”Pierluisi reiterated in response to The new day, during a press conference at the Puerto Rico Convention Center.

“I will have to see what happens in the legislative process, and if a measure reaches my office, I advance something that is already publicly known, that I am against the conduct of conversion therapies in Puerto Rico,” he said.

Currently, the Senate Bill 184, which seeks to ban conversion therapies on the island, is being discussed in the Legislature. This medium published on Saturday testimonies that demonstrate this practice at the local level, to which stories were added through social networks.

In the same direction, the designated secretary of the Department of Health, Carlos Mellado, stated his position against this practice on the island.

“Everything that is detrimental to the physical and mental health of any human being, the Department of Health must be against,” he showed.