HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-180-03/16/2020 Prepared by Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, City of Waterloo, 715 Mulberry Street, Waterloo, IA
50703, 319-291-4323.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-180
RESOLUTION URGING THE IOWA STATE LEGISLATURE
TO BAN THE USE OF CONVERSION THERAPY ON
MINORS.
WHEREAS, according to the nation's leading medical and mental health organizations,
the term "conversion therapy" refers to any practice or treatment that seeks to change the sexual
orientation or gender identity of a patient or client; and
WHEREAS, these practices and treatments, which are also known as "reparative
therapy," "sexual orientation change efforts," or "gender identity change efforts," include
practices or treatments that seek to change, eliminate, or reduce behaviors, expressions,
attractions, or feelings related to a client's or patient's sexual orientation or gender identity; and
WHEREAS, conversion therapy has been associated with high rates of depression and
suicidality among minors; and
WHEREAS, conversion therapy has been disavowed by the nation's leading medical and
mental health organizations, including but not limited to the American Academy of Pediatrics,
the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American College of Physicians,
the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American
Psychological Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the National Association
of Social Workers, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American
Counseling Association, and the American School Counselor Association; and
WHEREAS, the City of Waterloo values every member of our diverse and vibrant
community regardless of sexual orientation, or gender identity; and
WHEREAS, the City of Waterloo seeks to protect and defend all our community
members from barbaric and discredited medical practices; and
WHEREAS, the City of Waterloo joins with community partners and medical and mental
health professionals in seeking solutions to reduce rates of depression and suicidality impacting
our community; and
WHEREAS, the State of Iowa has a responsibility to protect minors from the harms
inflicted by conversion therapy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WATERLOO, IOWA, the City of Waterloo urges the Iowa State Legislature and the Governor of
the State of Iowa to adopt a statute that protects minors from conversion therapy by prohibiting
licensed mental health therapists from subjecting minors to these harmful and discredited
practices, and a signed copy of this resolution be sent to the Governor of the State of Iowa, the
Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives, the President of the Iowa Senate, and all members
of the Iowa State Legislature who represent any constituents that reside in Black Hawk County,
Iowa.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of March 2020.
Quentin Hart, Mayor
ATTEST:,
Ke.ley Felc
City Clerk