The Minnesota Public Interest Research Group or MPIRG has lent its support to the campaign to stop “ex-gay therapy” or conversion for minors and vulnerable adults.

MPIRG, a progressive student-led organization on six Minnesota college and university campuses, has backed Can’t Convert Love MN’s campaign, according to an announcement from the group. That campaign is focused on passing a law that will punish professionals who counsel minors to change their sexual orientation or gender identity by revoking professional licensure. It was also ban the use of Medicaid funds for such therapy.

In a statement, MPIRG said:

“As a non-partisan, student-run and directed organization, MPIRG supports Can’t Convert Love Minnesota, an organization dedicated to ‘banning conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults and to eliminating Medicaid reimbursement for the practice'”.
We recognize the irreparable emotional damage and harm that conversion therapy invokes on its victims, we support the students and youth of Minnesota that identify as LGBTQIA, and furthermore, we know that lives of LGBTQIA youth are at stake in our state.
We support a 100% trans inclusive bill and we call on our state to be leaders in the fight for a more equitable Minnesota and the end to conversion therapy practices.”

A bill was introduced in the 2014 legislative session, but did not receive a hearing.

MPIRG joins the Minnesota DFL, the Minnesota Young DFL, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Southern Poverty Law Center in backing Minnesota’s efforts.