During the 2023 legislative session Democrats passed controversial legislation which made it illegal for mental health professionals to warn individuals of the mental and physical harms that could result from a sex change. There has been serious concern that this blanket ban makes it harder for young people to have conversations with trusted adults in their lives.

“Under this radical therapy ban, therapists are encouraged to push patients towards transitioning to a new gender, rather than counseling individuals who may be experiencing normal gender dysphoria that doesn’t always directly equate with transitioning to a new gender,” said Senator Nathan Wesenberg (R-Little Falls). “Many of these struggling patients are children, whose confused parents are making ill-informed, life-changing decisions which will forever harm their innocence. This law removed the ability of licensed professionals to do the job they were trained and licensed to do.”

As it went into effect, Minnesota Statute 214.078 makes it illegal for therapists to provide therapy to vulnerable adults or anyone under 18 who may be struggling with gender dysphoria that isn’t “gender-affirming." The statute also states that any mental health practitioner engaging in this therapy with those under 18 is subject to the disciplinary actions of their licensing board, potentially losing their license.

“This is government censorship of professionals and a denial of real help to people in need. It mandates ideology over science, silences therapists, and leaves confused and suffering individuals without the support they deserve,” continued Wesenberg. “I will be introducing legislation to repeal this inhumane law. Any legislator or person that attempts to deny health care to suffering individuals is directly complicit in the destruction of our children's mental and physical well-being. Minnesota must restore the right of therapists to counsel without political interference, protect the ability of families to seek genuine care, and address gender dysphoria as the mental health crisis that it is - not affirm it as an identity.”