Many parents will advocate that they know best what to do for their children. Unfortunately for them, most medically licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and doctors would disagree. Conversion therapy is not usually performed by individuals with any medical knowledge or certifications, but by individuals who are trying to irreparably harm them by forcing them out of their natural, biologically set gender identity or sexual orientation. This practice is child abuse and banning of the practice is supported by the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and many other professional medical and mental health organizations. Parents should never have the right to harm their own children because they think they know better than their doctor. 

Members of the LGBT community and those who feel they themselves fall within the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identity minorities have a great supply of medical professionals ready to help them to seek the treatment they need. Doctors do not force individuals into being an LGBT individual, but rather assesses and helps them to affirm or deny their own identity as they see fit. Children without access to this care or who do experience conversion therapy are at a significantly higher risk for suicide and self harm. Please do not allow parents to abuse their children by subjecting them to this heinous, horrible, and abusive practice any longer. I have seen children who are embraced and loved in their identity and they go on to live happy and productive lives. As a parent of two small children, I sincerely hope this practice is banned because I believe in doctors and mental health experts over any untrained parent's beliefs any day.