STATUS: Ongoing, National

NCLR has been at the forefront of the effort to protect LGBTQ minors from these dangerous and discredited practices by mental health providers, which put youth at risk of depression, substance abuse, and suicide.

Few practices are more harmful to LGBTQ young people than conversion therapy, also known as so-called “reparative therapy,” “ex-gay therapy,” or “sexual orientation change efforts.” Every leading medical and mental health organization in the country has warned that these practices do not work and put young people at serious risk.

NCLR  works closely with legislators and state leaders across the country to introduce bills protecting youth from these dangerous practices. Five jurisdictions—California, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Oregon, and Illinois—now protect LGBTQ youth from the practices, with leaders from several other states planning introduction of similar legislation in the 2016 legislative session.

In 2014, NCLR launched its #BornPerfect program to stop conversion therapy across the country by passing laws, fighting in courtrooms, and raising awareness about the serious harms caused by attempts to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.