Medical Experts & LGBTQ+ People Agree - Conversion Therapy Is No Replacement for Health Care

Trans people's health care is delivered in age-appropriate, evidence-based ways, and decisions to provide care are made in consultation with doctors and parents, just like health care for all other people. Every major medical and mental health organization - including the AMA and APA - recognize that it is medically necessary to support people in affirming their gender identity. For more information, visit HRC's resource page 'Get the Facts on Gender-Affirming Care'

So-called "gender exploratory therapy", like "reparative therapy," or "conversion therapy" is a dangerous practice that targets LGBTQ+ youth and seeks to change their sexual or gender identities. Such practices have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades, but due to continuing discrimination and societal bias against LGBTQ+ people, some practitioners continue to conduct conversion therapy. Minors are especially vulnerable, and conversion therapy can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide. To learn more, visit HRC's resource page, 'The Lies and Dangers of Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity. '

Conversion therapy is universally opposed as harmful by major medical organizations, including (but not limited to) the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Medical Association(AMA), American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association (APA), and the American School Health Association.