Counseling Association Cancels Tenn Conference Citing State’s Anti-LGBT Law

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The American Counseling Association announced Tuesday that it was cancelling its annual conference scheduled to take place in Nashville, Tennessee next year after the state signed legislation that allows therapists to deny clients based on “principles.”

Richard Yep, CEO of the organization, said in a statement on its website that it was “not an easy decision to make.” He went on to call it the “worst” state legislation he has seen pass in his years associated with the association.

The association and LGBT advocates had fought the legislation up until Gov. Bill Haslam (R) signed it into law two weeks ago.

“This law directly targets the counseling profession, would deny services to those most in need, and constitutes a dilemma for ACA members because it allows for violation of ACA’s Code of Ethics,” Yep wrote. “By relocating from Tennessee, ACA is standing up to this discriminatory law and we remain committed in the battle to ensure that this law does not become the national standard.”

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