US: Illinois advances bill to ban gay ‘cure’ therapy

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A bill to ban gay ‘cure’ therapy in the US state of Illinois has advanced in the state’s House.

The measure, which would ban the practice attempting to change the sexual orientation of young gay people passed in the House Human Services Committee 9-6 on Wednesday.

Similar bans have already been put in place in California and New Jersey.

Equality Illinois commended the move, saying that the state should lead other states in protecting young people from “false and potentially dangerous treatment”.

The Illinois Family Institute argues that the bill would stop teenagers from accessing the counselling for their “unwanted feelings.”