NCLR Protecting LGBTQ Youth

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) has released two toolkits for child welfare & juvenile justice agency employees on how to protect LGBTQ youth from the serious harm caused by conversion therapy. Carolyn Reyes NCLR Youth Policy Counsel & Born Perfect Campaign Coordinator stated, “From social workers & foster parents to probation officers & facility chaplains, these toolkits are designed to assist child welfare & juvenile justice agencies with protecting youth from harmful, ineffective conversion therapy. Conversion therapy has been denounced by every major medical & mental health organization & has been shown to lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse & 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.” Conversion therapy, sometimes called “ex-gay therapy,” is an attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity & has been debunked by every major medical & mental health organization in the U.S. For the past 20 years NCLR has been working closely with conversion therapy survivors to end these harmful practices. In 2014, NCLR launched its Born Perfect campaign which is committed to ending conversion therapy nationwide. Through the Born Perfect campaign conversion therapy is now prohibited in 13 states including California, New Jersey, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, Connecticut, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, Maryland, Hawaii, New Hampshire & the District of Columbia. In Delaware, anti-conversion therapy legislation has passed & was signed into law by the governor July 23rd.
For More Info: nclrights.org
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