Greg Cunningham: Legacy Church Opposed A Bill To Ban So-Called “Conversion Therapy,” A Practice The American Medical Association Described As Dangerous And “Unethical”

2017: S.B. 121 Banned Conversion Therapy For Licensed Professionals In Treating Minors Under The Age Of 18 In New Mexico

2017: S.B. 121 Banned Conversion Therapy For Licensed Professionals In Treating Minors Under The Age Of 18 In New Mexico. “BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. A new section of the Uniform Licensing Act is enacted to read: ’CONVERSION THERAPY--GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION.-- A. A person licensed pursuant to provisions of Chapter 61 NMSA 1978 shall not provide conversion therapy to any person under eighteen years of age. The provision of conversion therapy in violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be grounds for disciplinary action by a board in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Licensing Act.” [New Mexico State Legislature, S.B. 121, 4/7/17]

• 2017: New Mexico Republican Governor Susan Martinez Signed S.B. 121 Into Law, Protecting LGBTQ Youth Fron So-Called “Conversion Therapy.” “Today, HRC and Equality New Mexico hailed New Mexico Republican Governor Susana Martinez’s decision to sign into law Senate Bill (SB) 121 -- legislation protecting LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy.’ ’This is an incredible victory for LGBTQ youth in New Mexico,’ said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. ‘No child should be subjected to this dangerous practice that amounts to nothing more than child abuse. By signing this crucially important legislation into law, Governor Martinez is standing up for vulnerable youth who deserve to be loved and supported for who they are.’” [Human Rights Campaign, Press Release, 4/7/17]

2017: Legacy Church Urged Their Followers To Call State Legislators In Opposition To S.B. 121 Because It Would Prohibit Licensed Professionals From Counseling Minors That “Homosexuality Or Transgender Lifestyle Is Wrong”

2017: Legacy Church Opposed S.B. 121, Saying If The Bill Passed “The State Will Place Restrictions On Licensed Clinical Therapists So They Will Not Be Able To Counsel Anyone Under The Age Of 18 That Homosexuality Or Transgender Lifestyle Is Wrong.” “Today the Judiciary Committee Meeting for the SB 121 will be happening in Room 309 at 1:30pm. If SB 121: No Conversion Therapy, (Candelaria, Romero) passes in New Mexico, the state will place restrictions on licensed clinical therapists so they will not be able to counsel anyone under the age of 18 that homosexuality or transgender lifestyle is wrong. Also, there will be no provision for the counselors who work for the church. This bill is attacking our religious freedom and we are not going to put up with it. Please help us call Candelaria and Romero and tell them that we do not agree with this bill and think it is wrong.” [Legacy Church, Facebook, 3/13/17]

Image: see original report, p. 46

[Legacy Church, Facebook, 3/13/17]

2017: Legacy Church Opposed S.B. 121, Saying “This Bill Is Attacking Our Religious Freedom And We Are Not Going To Put Up With It.” “Today the Judiciary Committee Meeting for the SB 121 will be happening in Room 309 at 1:30pm. If SB 121: No Conversion Therapy, (Candelaria, Romero) passes in New Mexico, the state will place restrictions on licensed clinical therapists so they will not be able to counsel anyone under the age of 18 that homosexuality or transgender lifestyle is wrong. Also, there will be no provision for the counselors who work for the church. This bill is attacking our religious freedom and we are not going to put up with it. Please help us call Candelaria and Romero and tell them that we do not agree with this bill and think it is wrong.” [Legacy Church, Facebook, 3/13/17]

2017: Legacy Church Urged Their Followers To Call State Legislators Candelaria And Romero About S.B. 121 And “Tell Them That We Do Not Agree With This Bill And Think It Is Wrong.” “Today the Judiciary Committee Meeting for the SB 121 will be happening in Room 309 at 1:30pm. If SB 121: No Conversion Therapy, (Candelaria, Romero) passes in New Mexico, the state will place restrictions on licensed clinical therapists so they will not be able to counsel anyone under the age of 18 that homosexuality or transgender lifestyle is wrong. Also, there will be no provision for the counselors who work for the church. This bill is attacking our religious freedom and we are not going to put up with it. Please help us call Candelaria and Romero and tell them that we do not agree with this bill and think it is wrong.” [Legacy Church, Facebook, 3/13/17]

American Medical Association: So-Called “Conversion Therapy” Was Not Based On Medical Or Scientific Evidence, “May Increase Suicidal Behaviors And Cause Significant Psychological Distress,” And Often Included “Unethical Techniques” Including Electric Shock

So-Called “Conversion Therapy” Were Interventions Which Attempt To Change A Person’s Sexual Orientation, Sexual Behaviors, Or Gender Identity. “So-called ‘conversion therapy’ refers to any form of interventions which attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation, sexual behaviors or gender identity. Underlying these ‘therapies’ is the assumption that homosexuality and gender nonconformity are mental disorders and that sexual orientation and gender identity can be changed. This assumption is not based on medical or scientific evidence. Professional consensus rejects pathologizing homosexuality and gender nonconformity and evidence does not support the efficacy of changing sexual orientation.” [American Medical Association, accessed 10/8/25]

American Medical Association: Assumptions That Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity Can Be Changed Were Not Based On Medical Or Scientific Evidence. “So-called ‘conversion therapy’ refers to any form of interventions which attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation, sexual behaviors or gender identity. Underlying these ‘therapies’ is the assumption that homosexuality and gender nonconformity are mental disorders and that sexual orientation and gender identity can be changed. This assumption is not based on medical or scientific evidence. Professional consensus rejects pathologizing homosexuality and gender nonconformity and evidence does not support the efficacy of changing sexual orientation.” [American Medical Association, accessed 10/8/25]

American Medical Association: So-Called “Conversion Therapy” Posed Serious Harm And “May Increase Suicidal Behaviors And Cause Significant Psychological Distress.” “So-called ‘conversion therapy’ refers to any form of interventions which attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation, sexual behaviors or gender identity. […] ’Conversion therapy’ often includes unethical techniques including electric shock, deprivation of food and liquid, chemically induced nausea and masturbation reconditioning. These practices may increase suicidal behaviors and cause significant psychological distress, anxiety, lowered self-esteem, internalized homophobia, self-blame, intrusive imagery and sexual dysfunction.” [American Medical Association, accessed 10/8/25]

American Medical Association: So-Called “Conversion Therapy” Often Included “Unethical Techniques Including Electric Shock, Deprivation Of Food And Liquid, Chemically Induced Nausea And Masturbation Reconditioning.” “So-called ‘conversion therapy’ refers to any form of interventions which attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation, sexual behaviors or gender identity. […] ’Conversion therapy’ often includes unethical techniques including electric shock, deprivation of food and liquid, chemically induced nausea and masturbation reconditioning. These practices may increase suicidal behaviors and cause significant psychological distress, anxiety, lowered self-esteem, internalized homophobia, self-blame, intrusive imagery and sexual dysfunction.” [American Medical Association, accessed 10/8/25]