Banning conversion therapy is long overdue. It's a dangerous and discredited practice that tries to force individuals to change their sexual orientation or gender identify. The practice is based on a false claim with absolutely no scientific evidence that being LGBTQ is a mental illness that must be cured. The guidance helps protect youth from disreputable state-licensed therapists in VA who falsely claim to parents and youth that they can "cure" youth of being LGBTQ. 

These practices are harmful. They rely on rejection, shame and psychological abuse to force youth to try to change who they are. In fact, these practices produce depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, self-harm, and suicide attempts. 

Mental health professionals should help youth, not harm them. We must ban conversation therapy so these discredited and harmful practices don't hurt even one more youth.