Gov. David Ige on Friday signed into law a bill that bans therapists from offering “conversion therapy” to LGBTQ youths under 18, making Hawaii the 12th state to put such a prohibition in place.

“The overwhelming scientific research has shown that conversion therapy is not effective and frequently has lasting, harmful psychological impacts on minors,” Ige said at a bill-signing ceremony, flanked by supporters of the ban. “This practice is neither medically nor ethically appropriate.”

Ige said he hopes the bill’s passage “sends a strong message to our LGBT youth that sexual orientation is not an illness to be cured. We accept you and love you just the way you are.”

Senate Bill 270 was introduced by state Sen. Stanley Chang (D, Diamond Head-Kahala-Hawaii Kai). “This is one of those bills that’s a no-brainer,” Chang said. “If you ask anyone below the age of 30 in Hawaii or across the country, I think they’d be shocked that this practice still happens.”

Research shows 20,000 youths undergo conversion therapy annually in the U.S., Chang said.

The ban on what’s technically known as “sexual orientation change efforts” includes the practice of attempting to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression and applies to psychiatrists, social workers, marriage and family therapists and other licensed professionals.

The bill also creates a temporary sexual orientation counseling task force attached to the Department of Health aimed at addressing the concerns of minors who seek counseling on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or related behavior.

Andria Kirk, a 17-year-old Myron B. Thompson Academy student, was among the youths who testified before lawmakers in support of a ban, and she attended Friday’s bill signing.

Kirk said she wanted to be able to stand up on behalf of LGBTQ youths who, due to various circumstances, may not be able to voice their concerns about conversion therapy.

Mathew Shurka, who heads the #BornPerfect initiative of the group National Center for Lesbian Rights, counts himself among the survivors of conversion therapy.

Shurka said that locally he’s met other survivors, several of them in the military, who also underwent conversion therapy.

The bill drew opposition from the Honolulu County Republican Party and the Hawaii Family Forum, which said the ban violates the rights of parents to choose therapy.