Federal report calls for end to 'conversion therapy' for LGBTI youth

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a report Thursday (15 October) calling for an end to 'conversion therapy' for LGBTI youth. The report is the first in-depth federal study into so-called 'ex-gay therapies.' It comes after the White House criticized the widely discredited practice in April, in response to an online petition following the death of Leelah Alcorn - the 17-year-old transgender girl who took her life after her parents forced her into 'therapy.' [...]

In May, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) introduced the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, which would ban 'conversion therapy.' Lieu said the report 'makes it clear that so-called "conversion therapy" is psychological child abuse - plain and simple.' Four states and the District of Columbia have already banned the practice for minors, and 21 other states have introduced similar legislation.

source: Article 'Federal report calls for end to 'conversion therapy' for LGBTI youth' by Darren Wee; www.gaystarnews.com/article/federal-report-calls-for-end-to-conversion-therapy-for-lgbti-youth/; Gay Star News; 16 October 2015