“The SB 1325 striker amendment is needless and unjust,” said TPCH Board Chairperson, Daniela Figueroa. “It is devastating that the State legislature is spending time during the COVID-19 pandemic to legislate hate.”
TPCH opposes the striker amendment to Senate Bill 1325. Arizona youth and families have a right to expect that a therapist practicing under a license from the state will not put them at risk of severe harm. Arizona has already rejected the dangerous and disavowed practice of so-called "conversion therapy." If passed, the proposed striker amendment will prevent any restrictions on this harmful practice by the State, professional licensing boards, local governments, and school boards. This bill undermines medical regulation and the public trust by opening a broad and unqualified loophole that would allow any provider to engage in abusive practices by claiming they are based on conscience or belief.
Take action today: Urge your state legislators to oppose the striker amendment to SB 1325.
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How will this legislation hurt Arizona? What does this have to do with homelessness?
Legislation like the proposed SB 1325 striker amendment further stigmatizes and de-humanizes LGBTQ+ Arizonans. Local and national research consistently indicates heightened risk of homelessness and other harmful experiences among LGBTQ+ communities.
The 2015 United States Transgender Survey found that one in three transgender Americans experience homelessness at some point during their lifetimes and the National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that LGBTQ+ youth are suffering.
Operation Deep Freeze (ODF) is Tucson's winter severe-weather emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. ODF goes into effect when weather predictions are for overnight temperatures of 40°F or lower with rain, 35°F or lower without rain, or when wind chill factors indicate a health hazard from exposure. You do not need an ID or a TB card to participate in ODF.
