Press Release

Today, following Governor Walz’s executive action on conversion therapy, the practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity through bullying and intimidation, DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement:

“Conversion therapy is not backed by science and can cause life-long trauma for those forced to endure it. I applaud Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on this step today to stop this barbaric practice. 

“Last year when the Governor and DFL leaders in the legislature tried to ban conversion therapy, Senate Republicans led by Senator Paul Gazelka blocked it. It is shameful that we have Republicans like Paul Gazelka and Scott Jensen who are not only on the wrong side of history on this issue, but who are actively contributing to a toxic environment that tells LGBTQ+ youth that they shouldn’t love and accept themselves for who they are. This is a great step for Minnesota and we must re-elect Governor Walz in order to move the state forward, not backward.”

BACKGROUND

• Last year, Scott Jensen voted against a conversion therapy ban.
• Senator Gazelka “sent his daughter to a therapist opposed to gay relationships after suspecting she had a same-sex attraction when she was a teenager” according to reports. The therapist was Marcus Bachmann, the husband of former U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, an outspoken opponent of LGBTQ rights. 

Gazelka has defended the right of churches and counselors to offer conversion therapy and said we should let the “church have the total freedom to do as they please” when it comes to counseling LGBTQ+ youth about their sexuality.