Rep. Mike Petersen

Husband, dad, and grandpa. Skier, sailor, and hiker. Business consultant, instructional designer and entrepreneur. Utah State Representative.

[Rep. Mike Petersen @RepMikePetersen]

@tobyvp69 @EqualityUtah @betterutah The bill actually outlaws abuse and prohibits treatments that cause physical discomfort such as electric shock or any therapies that cause nausea, vomiting, or other unpleasant physical sensations. This bill allows minors to freely talk with their counselors.

[Rep. Mike Petersen @RepMikePetersen]

@RepCarolMoss @EqualityUtah I want to ensure that the children of Utah are free to speak about all the feelings, concerns and questions they have. Not just the ones that have been deemed acceptable.

[Rep. Mike Petersen @RepMikePetersen]

(2/2) HB 228 will allow health professionals to discuss all options with children suffering from gender dysphoria. Children should be given time to find their authentic selves by talking about all of their options, including the benefits of staying in your birth gender.

[Rep. Mike Petersen @RepMikePetersen]

(1/2) I am a former counselor. Many colleagues interpret Utah’s current ban on conversion therapy (Utah Rule 156-60-102) as preventing them from talking to children suffering from gender dysphoria about the benefits of staying in their birth gender.

[Rep. Mike Petersen @RepMikePetersen]

@EqualityUtah Under current rule, if your 14 year old daughter tells her psychologist that she thinks she is probably a boy, the psychologist must affirm her concern and provide assistance to help her undergo gender transition.

[Rep. Mike Petersen @RepMikePetersen]

(2/2) @utahlcr’s hope is that fewer children will go down the path of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex reassignment surgery, if they are able to talk to mental health professionals about all of their options.

[Rep. Mike Petersen @RepMikePetersen]

(1/2) According to @goud4utah, @utahlcr supports this talk therapy bill (HB 228) so counselors can talk to youth suffering from gender dysphoria about the benefits of staying in their birth gender.

[Rep. Mike Petersen @RepMikePetersen]

HB228 is endorsed by Utah Log Cabin Republicans. This is the local chapter of the nation’s original and largest organization representing LGBT conservatives and straight allies who support fairness, freedom, and equality for all Americans.