I was referred to a licensed professional therapist in my state when I was 19-years-old. I never had counseling before and trusted the professional therapist's expertise. However, the more I committed myself to this therapist, the more I eventually realized the counseling to repress and change my orientation was far more harmful than helpful.  

Instead of empowering or affirming me, I felt more guilt and shame about my attractions. I was counseled to question the supposed "root causes" of my attractions. Before the counseling, I was proud of the way I was raised; however, the therapy convinced me that my attractions were a sign that I came from a "broken home". Before the counseling, I felt like a relatively normal guy; however, the therapy convinced me that I was "sexually broken". 

The reason I feel this bill is so important to pass is that I know personally that conversion therapy can cause great harm. No LGBTQ person should be told by a professional therapist to be ashamed of their normal, healthy attractions. Being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is not a disorder that needs of treatment. The state should protect LGBTQ people from this harmful, unproven, and unneeded supposed therapy.