National Center for Lesbian Rights

Keywords: Best Practices; Child Welfare; Healthcare; Mental Health; Policy; System Reform

Few practices threaten the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth more than attempts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. This so-called “conversion therapy” has been condemned by every major medical and mental health organization in the country, and shown to cause depression, substance use, and even suicide. Child welfare agencies can protect youth from these harmful practices through policies that explicitly state that agency representatives—including employees and foster parents—cannot engage in any efforts to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of youth in their care, and that the agency cannot contract with providers who engage in such efforts. The National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Born Perfect Campaign to end conversion therapy has created this toolkit to assist state child welfare agencies in developing these policies. [Summary adapted from resource.]

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Ending Conversion Therapy in Child Welfare