Action | Unprofessional conduct/practice of conversion therapy |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 8/7/2019 |
As the Executive Director of Health Brigade (formerly Fan Free Clinic) and a social worker who has served vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ persons through micro, mezzo and macro practice for the past 25 years, I urge policy makers and regulatory boards to ban the unethical and traumatizing practice of conversion therapy in Virginia. Conversion therapy has no scientific basis and has been discredited for years. It is time for Virginia to ban this dangerous practice that has destroyed young people and exploited vulnerable parents who have had difficulty coming to terms with their diverse children. I am asking the Board of Social Work to adhere to the Social Work Code of Ethics and provide the leadership, advocacy and action critically important right now to ensure conversion therapy is banned in Virginia for all time.