Utah lawmaker's LGBT posts anger activists

SALT LAKE CITY -- A nationwide push to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy for minors looked like it could succeed in conservative Utah after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it wouldn’t stand in the way, but the effort ground to a halt this week.

Conversion therapy has a long history in Utah, and the legislation drew fierce opposition from people who said barring therapists from talking about changing someone’s sexual orientation would violate free-speech rights.

It was seen as a milestone when the state’s predominant faith announced it would not oppose the ban, considering past teachings that being gay could be “cured,” according to religion scholars. The church has condemned conversion therapy and taken a more welcoming stance to the LGBTQ community but remains opposed to gay marriage and sex.

The Utah effort got momentum amid a national campaign to ban the practice this year. Fifteen other states have passed laws, and advocates in Utah said it would help combat an alarming spike in youth suicide.

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