“Today, Delaware took a stand to protect LGBTQ youth from harmful ineffective conversion therapy,” said conversion therapy survivor and NCLR Born Perfect Strategist Mathew Shurka. “Delaware is now a safer place for LGBTQ youth, and we are one step closer to protecting LGBTQ youth nationwide.”
Conversion therapy—also referred to as “ex-gay therapy” or “reparative therapy”— attempts to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It has been shown to lead to higher instances of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicide.
Conversion therapy—also referred to as “ex-gay therapy” or “reparative therapy”— attempts to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It has been shown to lead to higher instances of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicide.
Through
the Born Perfect campaign, NCLR has secured legislation protecting
youth from these dangerous practices in 14 states. Momentum to stop
conversion therapy is growing. With Delaware’s bill signing, 2018 just
broke a record for the number of states (five) to pass and sign laws
prohibiting conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth in one year.
Today’s
bill signing was the result of targeted grassroots advocacy efforts by
the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), local advocacy group
Equality Delaware, and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). This legislation
was also publicly supported by The Trevor Project.