New York Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that he will take Executive action banning public and private health care insurers from covering the dangerous practice of so-called “conversion therapy” in New York state. New York will be the first state in the country to prohibit so-called “conversion therapy” through Executive action. 

“Conversion therapy is a hateful and fundamentally flawed practice that is counter to everything this state stands for,” said Governor Cuomo. “New York has been at the forefront of acceptance and equality for the LGBT community for decades – and today we are continuing that legacy and leading by example. We will not allow the misguided and the intolerant to punish LGBT young people for simply being who they are.”

“No young person should suffer at the hands of the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy,” said GLAAD CEO & President Sarah Kate Ellis. “GLAAD applauds Governor Cuomo’s courageous stand against bigotry and bias, continuing his legacy of advancing equality and acceptance for LGBT New Yorkers.”

Four other states (California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon) and the District of Columbia have banned so-called “conversion therapy through the legislative process. Major medical authorities — including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and others — have voiced opposition to so-called “conversion therapy,” deeming it both ineffective and harmful.