Michigan Law Protects LGBTQ Youth

Governor Whitmer signed a bill prohibiting licensed therapists in Michigan from subjecting minors to conversion therapy, the dangerous practice that seeks to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. In June 2021 the Governor issued an executive order barring the use of state funds for conversion therapy. The new law both codifies that directive & prohibits state-licensed therapists from subjecting minor patients to conversion therapy. Mathew Shurka Born Perfect Co-Founder stated, “We are thrilled that Michigan is taking this important step to protect LGBTQ youth & their families from this deadly practice, which has been rejected as unethical & harmful by every leading medical & mental health organization in this country. This is a huge step forward for LGBTQ people in Michigan & sends a much-needed message of recognition & support to LGBTQ youth at a time when they are under attack in many states.” Now 27 states protect our LGBTQ youth from this deadly practice, whether by legislation, regulations, or executive actions. Conversion therapy has been rejected as unnecessary, ineffective & harmful by every major medical & mental health organization in the country including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association & the American Academy of Pediatrics. According to The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Youth 15% those who had reported being subjected to the practice were more than twice the rate of attempting suicide in the past year. Born Perfect is a survivor-led campaign created by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) in 2014 to end conversion therapy by passing laws across the country that protect LGBTQ children & young people.

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