I am a bisexual man, and I have been in a loving relationship with my husband for over 10 years. I have always been bisexual, and thanks to the love and support of my husband, friends, and family, I’ve always been encouraged to be who I am. I’ve had the love and support needed to help me grow, learn, earn a Masters in Aerospace Engineering and become a healthy and successful adult.

The thought of a young person being told that who they love is wrong and to be coerced into undergoing a discredited practice sickens me. Sexual identity is not an illness and it is not something to be cured -- there is no scientific basis for it. To allow a child to be subjected to “conversion therapy” is denying them a happy and healthy life -- it uses rejection, shame, and psychological abuse to change who they are and increases the risk of depression, substance abuse, and suicide.

Please ban conversion therapy. Who you are and who you love is not an illness.