Maryland Lawmaker Says Father in State Senate Sought Conversion Therapy for Her
Del. Meagan Simonaire said in a dramatic speech Wednesday she would vote for a ban on conversion therapy for homosexuality and revealed that her father — state Sen. Bryan Simonaire — asked her to try the discredited treatment after she revealed she was bisexual.
The Republican from Pasadena, who is not seeking re-election after one term, split with her father over the measure. The senator tried to block the ban on the Senate floor last week, saying families should have the right to use “loving” conversion therapy. The bill bans the therapy for minors.
Simonaire told a “girl’s” story on the House floor as the measure was being debated, but ended the speech with the phrase “my story.” She said she supported the bill to protect children who could be at risk of suicide due to the therapy.
She said the girl was attracted to both men and women but ended a relationship with a woman she loved for fear of losing her family.
Upon telling her family about her attraction to women, they were “heartbroken” and “disgusted” and sought conversion therapy as an answer, she said.
http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/general_assembly/ac-cn-meagan-simonaire-20180404-story.html
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