The US Is Taking a Big Step Torward Ending LGBTQ Youth Conversion Therapy Mathew Rodriguez - Identities.Mic
go to original October 16, 2015

Supporting a Ban on Conversion Therapy (The White House )

Halfway through LGBT History Month, a federal agency says it's time to make conversion therapy history.

A new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report, "Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth," blasts the notions that conversion therapy is useful to young LGBTQ people or that it's a useful way to deal with human sexuality.

"Conversion therapy perpetuates outdated views of gender roles and identities as well as the negative stereotype that being a sexual or gender minority or identifying as LGBTQ is an abnormal aspect of human development," the report reads. "Most importantly, it may put young people at risk of serious harm."

The movement to ban conversion therapy, also known as "ex-gay therapy" or "reparative therapy," has gained steam in recent years. California was the first to ban the practice in 2012; New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Oregon and Illinois soon followed suit.

Of the five bans, two were signed in the past six months. A New Hampshire lawmaker introduced legislation this week to ban the practice in that state.

The report outlines three key findings. First, it states that various sexual and gender identities, behaviors and expressions are a normal aspect of human diversity and not reflective of mental disorders. Second, it says no research exists showing that conversion therapy can actually do what it claims to do. Third, it demonstrates that conversion therapy is harmful and should not be a valid form of treatment for LGBTQ youth.

Rather than aiming to change sexual or gender identity, behavior or expression, the report says, therapy for LGBTQ youth should aim to provide accurate information on sexual and gender diversity, increase family and school support and address rejection. Read the rest at Identities.Mic

Related: End Conversion Therapy for LGBTI Youth: Report (SBS)

Related: What's a Skoliosexual? There's a Lot More Out There Beyond "Hetero," "Homo" and "Bi." (HuffPost)

Photo: Wikipedia

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