Rep. Ilhan Omar Applauds Governor Walz Decision Protecting LGBTQ+ Youth from Conversion Therapy

MINNEAPOLIS— Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement today after Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 21-25 to protect LGBTQ+ from the harmful practice of conversion therapy.

"I applaud Governor Walz for this decision, which will change the lives of so many LGBTQ+ kids. So-called "conversion therapy" practices are based on the false claim that being LGBTQ+ is a mental illness, hateful views have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades. The UN has likened this to torture.

"It was a honor to help carry this bill when I was in the Minnesota House of Representatives. And I am especially grateful for the advocacy of leaders like Minnesota Sen. Scott Dibble and Wil Bernstrom, who told me about the horror he went through with conversion therapy as a child.

"Wil's advocacy and the advocacy of so many brave young people have brought us to this moment. It's a proud day for Minnesota and hope the rest of the country follows suit."