Therapists Organization Pulls Convention Out Of Tennessee Over New Religious Freedom Law

The American Counseling Association is following through on a threat to pull its annual convention out of Nashville.

The group is protesting a new law that allows counselors to pass on clients because of a “strongly held principle.” The LGBT community has felt targeted, and characterized the measure as discriminatory.

In a

written statement, American Counseling Association CEO Richard Yep calls the decision “courageous.” He says relocating the 2017 conference signals a commitment to make sure Tennessee’s law doesn’t become “the national standard.”

“We cannot in good conscience bring business to Tennessee,” Yep explained in a web video. “It is an affront to our profession, and we must stand firm to prevent other states from enacting a law like

HB 1840.”

Gov. Bill Haslam signed the measure last month, saying it strikes the appropriate balance between counselors’ beliefs and the needs of clients. He said lawyers and other professionals can pass on clients with whom they have conflicts.

But the American Counseling Association believes the law provides blanket protection for discrimination.

The group thanked Nashville officials, who apparently offered their support regardless of the counseling association’s decision to stay or leave.