Hawai‘i Lt. Gov. Doug Chin, Democratic candidate for Hawai‘i’s First congressional district, issued the following statement announcing his support for Senate Bill 270 ahead of a hearing before the Hawai‘i Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health:
“I strongly support Senate Bill 270 and protecting Hawai‘i’s LGBTQ community from damaging and discredited efforts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity through so-called ‘conversion therapy.’ I do so based upon my firmly held belief that no one should ever be made to feel there is something ‘wrong’ with them because of who they love or how they identify.”
“As attorney general, I defended the Hawai‘i Marriage Equality Act in the Hawai‘i Supreme Court and I took on the Trump Administration to defend the right of transgender individuals to serve this country in uniform. You can count on me to continue working to break down every barrier to equal rights and for a future free from discrimination and hate.”
A complete version of the lieutenant governor’s testimony in support of the measure is as follows:
I am writing today to offer my strong support for Senate Bill 270 based upon my firm belief that no child in Hawai‘i should ever be made to feel there is something ‘wrong’ with them based on who they love or how they identify.
Hawai‘i is a thriving melting pot built on a foundation of inclusiveness and respect. We believe every person is valuable and special. And we know that our strength comes from our diverse citizens coming together as one.
This committee has the opportunity to continue the Hawai‘i’s legislature’s work to break down barriers to equal rights for the LGBTQ community. Protecting our LGBTQ youth from damaging and discredited efforts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity is a critical next step. A vote for this measure is a vote for a future where every person is empowered to live and love as they wish.
It is time for Hawai‘i to join a growing coalition of states and municipalities—including California, Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont—to ban licensed mental health professionals from subjecting minors to ‘conversion therapy.’ I strongly support Senate Bill 270 and I respectfully ask for your vote to enact this important measure.
For more information, contact campaign manager Dylan Beesley at (808) 298-0615 or [email protected].
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