Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights -- one of two organizations leading the nationwide fight against dangerous and discredited "ex-gay" therapy -- is launching #BornPerfect, a social media campaign to tell LGBT people that they are perfect just the way they are and eradicate "ex-gay" therapy (also known as "conversion therapy" and "reparative therapy") within five years.
The group writes, via press release:
Few practices hurt LGBT children more than attempts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity through so-called conversion therapy, also known as "reparative therapy," "ex-gay therapy," or "sexual orientation change efforts." Yet some unethical counselors and therapists continue to subject young LGBT people to these practices--which often include the use of shame and verbal abuse--even though they have been condemned by every major medical and mental health organization in the country.
NCLR has been at the forefront of the effort to protect LGBT kids from these practices for more than 20 years, successfully working to help draft and pass California's Senate Bill 1172 in 2012, the nation's first to protect LGBT children from the dangers of conversion therapy. The following year, NCLR helped New Jersey pass a similar law and is now working with legislators and LGBT leaders in more than a dozen other states to bring protections to LGBT kids across the country.
"The time is long overdue to stop the severe harms being inflicted on young LGBT children and their families by these dangerous practices," said NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell. "These practices have been thoroughly discredited by every major mental health organization, and yet, every day, unethical therapists continue to abuse their professional authority to deceive parents and wreck the lives of youth who deserve nothing but support."
More details, after the break.
Leave a comment
We want to know your opinion on this issue! While arguing about an opinion or idea is encouraged, personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please be respectful of others.
The editorial team will delete a comment that is off-topic, abusive, exceptionally incoherent, includes a slur or is soliciting and/or advertising. Repeated violations of the policy will result in revocation of your user account. Please keep in mind that this is our online home; ill-mannered house guests will be shown the door.