Maryland will soon be the next state to ban conversion therapy for LGBT identities (barring an unlikely veto from Gov. Hogan (R-MD)). Back when it was being debated, Sen. Simonaire said the state doesn’t have any business telling consenting children and parents what therapy to undergo.
Simonaire said the state was putting its worldview over other people’s religion, including his own Christian faith. He said families should have the choice if they are consenting and the therapy is done in a “loving” way.
The bill was passed by the Senate in a 32-14 vote on second-reader.
Turns out, Sen. Simonaire was speaking from personal experience. His daughter, (retiring) Delegate Simonaire revealed that her father asked her to try the discredited treatment after she revealed she was bisexual.
Upon telling her family about her attraction to women, they were “heartbroken” and “disgusted” and sought conversion therapy as an answer, she said.
“They weren’t ever hateful, but were fully convinced that she was living in sin and desperately wanted to get her the “help she needed,” Simonaire said on the floor.
“While she never actually had to endure conversion therapy, the pain of having her good-intentioned parents convinced of its ability to ‘fix her’ was enough to cause significant pain, self-loathing and deep depression. There were times where she seemingly couldn’t stop the tears from falling.”
Simonaire declined to comment after her speech except to confirm she was the “girl” in the story.
The House of Delegates voted 95-27 in favor of Senate Bill 1028. While some other Republican lawmakers still bemoaned about the impact on religious families ("THINK OF THE CHILDREN!"), others lauded her courage.
Del. Michael Malone, R-Crofton, said she spoke from the heart.
Del. Herb McMillan, R-Annapolis, voted in support of the bill and lauded Simonaire for her speech.
“I was touched by it. It was very powerful. She is a dear friend; I've told her many times that she reminds me of my youngest daughter,” McMillan said. “We share many of the same political views, and I love her spirit and that she thinks for herself. It's a great loss that she isn't running again, because she personified the young face of the Republican Party. She will be missed.”
As Del. McMillan mentioned, Del. Simonaire was a new, young face for the Republican party, especially here in sapphire blue Maryland. But since many in her party still think of her as something to be “fixed”, her and other young faces will fade away.