The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national
organization providing crisis intervention and
suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.
organization providing crisis intervention and
suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.
Rep. Jackie Speier Introduces Resolution to Protect Youth from Dangerous and Discredited Conversion Efforts
Abbe Land of The Trevor Project Responds
Washington, D.C. (November 28, 2012) – Today, Congresswoman Jackie Speier introduced in the US House of Representatives a resolution emphasizing the harm caused by dangerous and discredited practices aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of young people. The resolution encourages states to take steps to protect young people from these practices.
This resolution follows the successful passage of Senate Bill 1172 in California, authored by state Senator Ted Lieu, which prohibits state-licensed mental health practitioners from engaging in practices that claim to change a young person’s sexual orientation or the way they express their gender.
Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project, the nation’s leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth issued the following statement:
“The Trevor Project commends Congresswoman Speier for drawing attention to the harms caused by this practice and encourages states to promote family acceptance and reduction of stigma through public education in order to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people.
“So-called ‘reparative therapy,’ known as ‘ex-gay therapy’ is a harmful and dangerous practice that falsely claims that being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is an illness or a disorder. A person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression are natural and inherent parts of their being.”
ABOUT THE TREVOR PROJECT:
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people under 24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. Honored by the White House as a “Champion of Change,” The Trevor Project is a leader and innovator in suicide prevention. Learn more at TheTrevorProject.org.
