A watershed moment approaches in the realm of mental health and legal protections for LGBTQ+ youth. Conversion Truth for Families emerges as a critical resource, offering nuanced insights into the complex and potentially destructive therapeutic interventions targeting sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Supreme Court case, Chiles v. Salazar, challenges Colorado’s 2019 state law prohibiting licensed therapists from suggesting a minor’s sexuality or gender identity can be changed. The legal battle centers on a therapist who provides counseling designed to help young clients “resist” or “eliminate” same-sex attraction, bringing fundamental questions of professional ethics and individual rights into sharp focus.
Conversion Truth for Families documents an extraordinary medical consensus. Twenty-nine U.S. medical and psychological organizations, representing 1.3 million healthcare providers, have collectively condemned conversion therapy. Prominent institutions like the American Medical Association and American Psychiatric Association have unequivocally rejected these interventions as scientifically baseless.
Meticulously researched medical studies present a deeply troubling narrative of psychological harm. A landmark study published in the Journal of Health Economics revealed that conversion therapy increases a transgender adolescent’s suicide attempt risk by 55 percent. The research also found that these practices more than doubled the likelihood of a young person running away from home, with the most severe impacts occurring between ages 11 and 14.
Economic analyses provide further context for the long-term consequences. A 2022 JAMA Pediatrics study calculated the annual financial burden of conversion therapy at $9.23 billion. Affected youth face approximately $83,366 in excess lifetime healthcare costs – a tangible measure of the profound psychological and financial impact of these interventions.
Family dynamics emerge as a critical determinant of adolescent mental health. The Family Acceptance Project’s research reveals the potentially destructive impact of parental intervention. When parents attempt to change their child’s sexual orientation, suicide attempts more than double. In scenarios involving both parental and external practitioners’ conversion efforts, suicide attempt rates nearly triple.
The legal landscape currently stands at a precarious crossroads. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have laws banning conversion therapy for minors by licensed healthcare professionals. However, the Supreme Court case challenges these protections. During oral arguments, Chief Justice John Roberts expressed notable skepticism about existing restrictions, suggesting potential challenges to current legal frameworks.
Conversion Truth for Families provides essential guidance for parents navigating these complex waters. Mental health professionals advise extreme caution, identifying critical red flags such as therapeutic approaches that:
- Pathologize LGBTQ+ identity
- Promise to alter sexual orientation or gender identity
- Leverage shame and guilt as primary therapeutic tools
In stark contrast to these harmful approaches, research demonstrates the transformative power of acceptance. The Trevor Project’s research reveals that LGBTQ+ youth with at least one accepting adult in their life report significantly lower suicide attempt rates. Those experiencing high family support attempt suicide at less than half the rate of those with low or moderate support.
Modern conversion therapy has evolved from its historical roots. Unlike the electroshock treatments of earlier decades, current interventions often take the form of talk therapy or counseling. Licensed therapists may use techniques designed to induce shame, while religious practitioners may employ spiritual interventions aimed at changing a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
As the Supreme Court prepares to issue its decision by June 2026, Conversion Truth for Families remains an indispensable resource. The organization provides critical information to help families understand the intricate relationships between mental health, identity, and therapeutic practices.
