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The NDP will introduce a bill this fall to ban so-called gay conversion therapy.

It is being developed by Edmonton-Castle Downs backbench MLA Nicole Goehring, who told Postmedia Tuesday that outlawing the controversial practice in Alberta will save lives.

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“At the end of the day,” she said, “that’s what it’s all about.”

Goehring said the issue has been on her radar since it was raised during consultations on Bill 24 (which, in part, makes it illegal for a teacher to inform a parent if a child joins a gay-straight alliance at school) and brought PTSD Awareness Day to Alberta.

“I heard from members of the LGBTQ+ community, their families, advocates and leadership from faith communities that banning conversion therapy was something they wanted,” she said.

Conversion therapy ‘discriminatory, harmful and hateful’

Conversion therapy attempts to use psychological or spiritual intervention to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.