In the latest exercise in political theater, five Maryland state lawmakers unleashed an eye-roll-worthy press release that’s as flimsy in logic as it is rich in hyperbole, accusing former Governor Larry Hogan of essentially waging war on the LGBTQ+ community.
The state lawmakers’ arguments hinge on the erroneous assumption that Mr. Hogan’s decision to allow certain LGBTQ+ bills to become law without his signature somehow equates to opposition or indifference. Their press release is a gross oversimplification and a deliberate misrepresentation of how governance works in practice.
Rather than engaging in the hollow virtue-signaling his far-left critics seem to adore, Mr. Hogan, Maryland’s Republican Senate nominee, let the democratic process work as intended.
Today, supporting LGBTQ+ rights is a prerequisite for public office. It’s non-negotiable, especially in Maryland.
Let’s not forget that Mr. Hogan affirmatively signed a ban on conversion therapy in 2018, propelling Maryland to the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights.
For these five lawmakers, acknowledging Larry Hogan’s bold move to ban a vile, discredited practice that harmed the LGBTQ+ community does not fit their myopic narrative.
The Latest Polling Has The Democratic Machine All Hot and Bothered
But the truth is, their press release isn’t really about Larry Hogan at all — it’s an unsubtle concession that the former governor is on the cusp of defeating the Democratic insiders’ handpicked successor to outgoing U.S. Senator Ben Cardin.
According to recent polling, Ms. Alsobrooks and Mr. Hogan are locked in a tie. Now, Democrats are sweating a race that Ms. Alsobrook should be running fifteen to twenty points ahead of a generic Republican.
Ms. Alsobrooks, the current executive of Prince George’s County, is pandering to Democratic insiders with a single-issue, one-track campaign, while Mr. Hogan, no generic Republican, remains one of Maryland’s most popular former governors in recent memory.
With sixty-some days to go until the November general election, the Maryland Democratic elites who believe that Ms. Alsobrooks is naturally entitled to the Senate seat are throwing everything they can at Hogan, no matter how ridiculous the attack.
In fairness, if I were a card-carrying member of Maryland’s Democratic Machine, I, too, couldn’t bear to suffer the humiliation and defeat of losing a statewide race to Governor Hogan not once, not twice, but a third time.
Larry Hogan’s Ban on Conversion Therapy: A Bold Stand for LGBTQ+ Rights
The notion that Mr. Hogan’s actions as governor — he actually expanded and protected LGBTQ+ rights — somehow make him unfit to represent the community is as laughable as it is desperate.
Forgive me, but governance isn’t about putting on a show or launching rhetorical political bombs on X just to rack up likes and shares. Larry Hogan’s approach might not have made for the most dramatic headlines, but it resulted in lasting protections for vulnerable Marylanders.
Mr. Hogan’s far-left Democratic critics, try as they may, have failed to paint the popular former governor as indifferent to the LGBTQ+ community.
Here are the facts:
In May 2018, Larry Hogan signed a bill into law that banned conversion therapy in Maryland, a significant legislative milestone in Maryland that underscores the former governor’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, from this outdated and discredited practice.
The Youth Mental Health Protection Act is the bill that Larry Hogan signed into law banning conversion therapy. The Maryland General Assembly passed the bill, which Mr. Hogan signed into law on May 15, 2018.
The law prohibits licensed mental health practitioners from engaging in conversion therapy with minors, which is the practice of attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Details Behind Maryland’s Youth Mental Health Protection Act
- Bill Number: The bill is officially known as House Bill 902 (HB 902) in the Maryland General Assembly;
- Purpose: The law protects LGBTQ+ youth from this discredited practice, which has been shown to lead to increased risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts;
- Scope: The ban applies specifically to licensed mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and social workers, and it prohibits them from practicing conversion therapy on individuals under the age of 18;
- Penalties: Licensed professionals who engage in conversion therapy with minors can face disciplinary action, including the potential loss of their license to practice;
- Support: A broad coalition of mental health organizations, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, and medical professionals supported the bill, arguing that conversion therapy is not only ineffective but also dangerous to the mental health of minors.
The signing of this bill made Maryland the 11th state in the United States to ban conversion therapy for minors, aligning the state with a growing movement to protect LGBTQ+ youth from this harmful practice.
Understanding Conversion Therapy and Its Harms
Conversion therapy, a dangerous and medically discredited practice aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, has long been condemned by medical and psychological experts.
Organizations like the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have all categorically denounced conversion therapy as a practice, citing its ineffectiveness and the profound psychological harm it can cause.
Studies on the effects of conversion therapy have shown that individuals subjected to dangerous therapy are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, and even contemplating suicide.
Despite these well-documented risks, conversion therapy has persisted in some areas throughout the country, often under the guise of religious or moral guidance.
Mr. Hogan’s signature to ban conversion therapy in Maryland demonstrated his foundational priorities in securing the well-being and safety of all Marylanders over partisan considerations, a hallmark of his governorship.
Moreover, the former governor’s actions demonstrate his broader commitment to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated with the utmost dignity and respect.
Larry Hogan and the Democratically controlled Maryland General Assembly not only protected LGBTQ+ youth from a dangerous and discredited practice by banning conversion therapy, but they also sent a clear message that Maryland is a state where all people are valued, and their rights are defended.
Despite the progress to ban this horrific practice in Maryland, as of August 2024, conversion therapy is still fully legal in 19 U.S. states.
Larry Hogan Will Be An Ally to the LGBTQ+ in the U.S. Senate
Marylanders can count on Larry Hogan as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community when serving in the U.S. Senate.
Larry Hogan’s actions speak louder than any campaign rhetoric; his support for LGBTQ+ rights has been substantive and principled. He will undoubtedly bring a strong voice of support for LGBTQ+ Americans to the Senate.
Despite potential political risks, Mr. Hogan’s clear-cut decision to sign this important bill demonstrated his commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that Maryland remained a leader in LGBTQ+ rights.
Mr. Hogan’s approach to governance has always been one of pragmatism and moderation, making him well-positioned to work across the aisle to advance and protect LGBTQ+ rights at the federal level. He understands that the rights and protections of LGBTQ+ individuals are not just state issues but national imperatives.
Larry Hogan Offers Measured Leadership Over Political Theater
Ultimately, it’s not the loudest voice that best serves the people but the one that delivers results.
Former Governor Larry Hogan didn’t need to sign every bill to demonstrate his commitment to LGBTQ+ rights; instead, he allowed his actions to speak for themselves.
Throughout his tenure as governor, Mr. Hogan navigated the complexities of a deeply polarized landscape with a rare blend of pragmatism and principle. He helped ensure that crucial protections for LGBTQ+ Marylanders became law, even if it meant forgoing the spotlight.
In the United States Senate, Marylanders can expect Mr. Hogan to prioritize progress over empty posturing, including securing women’s reproductive rights.
Politicians love to chase headlines with grand gestures and political theater, but Larry Hogan has consistently chosen substance over spectacle. His gubernatorial legacy is one of quiet, determined action that left the state more inclusive and equitable than when he took office.
With Hogan in the Senate, Marylanders can count on a leader who understands that real change doesn’t come from loud declarations but from the quiet, consistent work of safeguarding everyone’s rights — no theatrics, just the measured, effective leadership that has always been his political hallmark.
