Friday, July 20, 2018

NCLR Launches Toolkits to Protect LGBTQ Youth in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems from Conversion Therapy

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today released two toolkits for child welfare and juvenile justice agency employees on how to protect LGBTQ youth from the serious harm caused by conversion therapy. Conversion therapy, sometimes called “ex-gay therapy,” is an attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity and has been debunked by every major medical and mental health organization in the U.S. Ending Conversion Therapy in Child Welfare and Ending Conversion Therapy in Juvenile Justice help state agencies recognize how and when LGBTQ youth may be subjected to conversion therapy while in the care of the state, explain the negative impact of conversion therapy and its close relationship to family rejection, and include tips and model language about how to develop policies protecting LGBTQ youth from these harms.

“From social workers and foster parents to probation officers and facility chaplains, these toolkits are designed to assist child welfare and juvenile justice agencies with protecting youth from harmful, ineffective conversion therapy,” said NCLR Youth Policy Counsel and Born Perfect Campaign Coordinator Carolyn Reyes. “Conversion therapy has been denounced by every major medical and mental health organization and has been shown to lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicide. While a child is in the care of the State, it is critical that State systems ensure they are protected from this harm.”