I don't have much of a following on here so this will mostly be tweeting out into the void, but I want to say something about banning conversion therapy because I don't have the luxury of pretending it's not a problem

I never went through it and I don't personally know anyone who did, as a disclaimer. but it was sheer dumb luck that I didn't question my sexuality as a teenager, because I absolutely would have if I did

I was deep in the evangelical church from 15-18. I grew up Pentecostal and then found community, belonging, identity in my church/youth group at that age. I would have done anything to stay part of that community, & anything suggested by the church leaders I looked up to

if I'd worked out I was queer back then, there's no doubt in my mind I would have ended up in some form of conversion therapy. it wouldn't have been described like that, of course. no creepy American-style camps. but a lot of prayer.

luckily, by the time I worked it out I had left home and left the church. I went back, briefly, in second year, but by then I had friends and a support network outside the church, and I was able to walk away when it became clear they were trying to "pray the gay away"

there will be many other queer youth like me. some of them won't be as lucky. some will be in the wrong place at the wrong time. why ban conversion therapy? for them.