Dangerous HB 1430 is Promotes Faith Healing Disguised as Therapy
Delray Beach, FL– Truth Wins Out strongly opposes North Dakota House Bill 1430. This harmful legislation, introduced by Rep. Lori VanWinkle (R-Minot), seeks to endorse and legalize conversion therapy practices under the guise of providing “alternative” counseling, a move that threatens the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ individuals across the state.
“Conversion therapy is pseudoscience and religious faith healing disguised as modern therapy,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “This quackery never works and has left a trail of survivors who call such barbaric practices psychological torture. HB 1430 would cause enormous harm under the false pretense of helping therapy clients. All respected medical and mental health organizations reject conversion therapy. North Dakota lawmakers must reject this toxic and unethical bill.”
House Bill 1430, currently under consideration by the House Human Services Committee, would permit social workers to offer conversion therapy to LGBTQ people. The bill’s text states: “It is not an ethical violation for a licensee to offer an individual questioning the individual’s sexuality or gender a treatment plan or counseling plan that aligns with heterosexuality or the individual’s biological sex.” The proposal also requires disclosure of the treatment’s nature and consent from the client or their parent/guardian.
“A Regressive and Dangerous Proposal”
The American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and American Psychological Association have all denounced conversion therapy as harmful and ineffective. Studies have linked the practice to increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ individuals who have been subjected to it. By attempting to normalize conversion therapy, House Bill 1430 undermines professional standards and endangers lives.
“A Cheap Smokescreen of Religious Freedom”
Proponents of House Bill 1430, including Rep. VanWinkle, have framed the legislation as a matter of religious freedom. VanWinkle argued that “To prohibit counseling that aligns with traditional or biblical viewpoints is religious discrimination.” Truth Wins Out rejects this disingenuous narrative and asserts that religious beliefs must never be used as a justification to harm others or endorse unethical practices.
“Religious freedom is a cherished value, but it does not grant license to harm others or deny them dignity,” said TWO’s Besen. “It’s a gross distortion of what freedom truly means. Therapists are not right wing talk show hosts. They have an ethical duty to uphold professional standards, not indoctrinate clients with political opinions at the client’s expense.”
“Ignoring Professional Standards and Oversight”
Even neutral testimony during the House Human Services Committee hearing highlighted the bill’s lack of clarity and standards. Terry Effertz, Administrator of the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, raised concerns about the absence of professional guidelines for conversion therapy. “If something went wrong, we need to know how we can enforce a complaint against somebody if they’re a nefarious actor,” Effertz said.
By failing to address enforcement and accountability, House Bill 1430 opens the door for unqualified practitioners to exploit vulnerable clients without consequences. This disregard for oversight further demonstrates the irresponsibility of this legislation.
“An Unnecessary and Harmful Bill”
Licensed counselor Elizabeth Anderson testified in opposition to the bill, emphasizing that social workers already respect their clients’ religious beliefs and do not impose any agenda. Anderson’s testimony highlights that House Bill 1430 is a solution in search of a problem, manufactured to justify the reintroduction of harmful and discredited practices.
“The real issue here is not the alleged suppression of religious counseling but the blatant attempt to rebrand conversion therapy as legitimate care,” said TWO’s Besen. “Lawmakers should be focused on protecting the mental health of all North Dakotans, not enabling harmful practices that belong in the dustbin of history.”
About Truth Wins Out
Truth Wins Out is a nonprofit organization that works to advance liberty and democracy, protect the rights of LGBTQ people and other minorities, combat religious extremism and fight against the spread of disinformation. We strive to build an enlightened and free world through education, advocacy, and public policy work.