“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.
- 48% of LGBTQ+ youth reported engaging in self-harm in the past twelve months, including over 60% of transgender and non-binary youth.
- 46% of LGBTQ+ youth report they wanted psychological or emotional counseling from a mental health professional but were unable to receive it in the past 12 months.
- 10% of LGBTQ+ youth reported undergoing conversion therapy, with 78% reporting it occurred when they were under age 18.
- 29% of LGBTQ+ youth have experienced homelessness, been kicked out, or run away.
- 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ youth reported that they had been physically threatened or harmed in their lifetime due to their LGBTQ identity.
- 61% of transgender and non-binary youth reported being prevented or discouraged from using a bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.
- 86% of LGBTQ+ youth said that recent politics have negatively impacted their well-being.