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Omar rallies support for bill banning gay conversion therapy

The Minnesota Democrat called gay conversion therapy "torture" and said it should no longer be a legal practice in Minnesota or in any other state.

Credit: AP

U.S. Rep Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks to support LGBTQ and allied high school students from across the state of Minnesota who marched to the State Capitol steps Thursday, March 21, 2019 in St. Paul, Minn. to urge lawmakers to protect LGBTQ Minnesotans and youth from the effects of so-called conversion "therapy." (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

ST PAUL, Minn. — Rep. Ilhan Omar has rallied LGBTQ youth in support of a Minnesota bill to ban gay conversion therapy for minors or vulnerable adults.

Omar spoke Thursday on the state Capitol steps to a crowd that marched from OutFront Minnesota's seventh annual Youth Summit at Saint Paul College.

The Minnesota Democrat called gay conversion therapy "torture" and said it should no longer be a legal practice in Minnesota or in any other state.

Omar was a co-sponsor of a similar bill when she was in the Minnesota House. She was elected to Congress in November.

Credit: AP

U.S. Rep Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.,right, takes a selfie with young people after speaking to support LGBTQ and allied high school students from across the state of Minnesota who marched to the State Capitol steps Thursday, March 21, 2019 in St. Paul, Minn. to urge lawmakers to protect LGBTQ Minnesotans and youth from the effects of so-called conversion "therapy." (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minneapolis Democrat Scott Dibble, the only openly gay Minnesota senator, urged the crowd to meet with their legislators, fight for change and run for office.

The American Psychological Association opposes therapy seeking to change sexual orientation.