You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

Skip to main
Press

The Trevor Project Celebrates Utah Bill Protecting LGBTQ Youth From Conversion Therapy

BY: Trevor News
Blue Green Gradient

24% of LGBTQ youth in Utah reported being threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy in the past year

March 22, 2023 The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ young people, celebrates the signing of HB 228 in Utah, a bill that prohibits licensed medical professionals from subjecting LGBTQ youth to conversion therapy — a wide range of discredited practices that attempt to change an individual’s LGBTQ identity. This legislation codifies and expands upon former Gov. Herbert’s executive action from 2020.

“This is an encouraging step forward in the fight to protect LGBTQ youth across the nation from the dangerous and discredited practices of so-called conversion ‘therapy.’ These harmful practices, which are associated with poor mental health outcomes and increased suicide risk, have been denounced by every major professional health and medical organization in the country,” said Troy Stevenson (he/him), Director of State Advocacy Campaigns at The Trevor Project. “We implore the leaders of Utah to follow the guidance of medical experts in all of their law-making efforts and reevaluate previous legislation barring access to medically necessary, age-appropriate care for transgender young people. All LGBTQ Utahns deserve to be shielded from harmful practices like so-called conversion ‘therapy’ while having greater access to care that is affirming and supportive.”

Relevant Research: 

  • According to The Trevor Project’s 2022 U.S. National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health by State, 50% of LGBTQ youth in Utah seriously considered suicide in the past year, including 56% of transgender and nonbinary youth. Additionally, 24% of LGBTQ youth in Utah reported being threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy in the past year.
  • Further, a peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project published in the American Journal of Public Health found that LGBTQ youth who underwent conversion therapy were more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide and more than 2.5 times as likely to report multiple suicide attempts in the past year.
  • A peer-reviewed study published in JAMA Pediatrics found the practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth, and its associated harms – such as substance abuse and negative mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts – cost the U.S. an estimated $9.23 billion, annually. 

For journalists looking to learn more about how to cover the issue of conversion therapy, here is a guide on best practices.

If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.

Read more from
Press

Tangerine Canary Gradient
Press

The Trevor Project Condemns Package of Anti-Trans Bills Passed by Alabama Legislature

Data show that these policies are unpopular among U.S. adults and harmful to trans youth’s mental health. April 7, 2022 — The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, condemned the passage of multiple anti-transgender bills by the Alabama Legislature, including: SB 184 – a bill that would criminalize doctors for providing best-practice, gender-affirming care to transgender and nonbinary youth, HB 322 – which would restrict transgender students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity, and an amendment that would…
Blue Green Gradient
Press

The Trevor Project Condemns Passage of Anti-Transgender Sports Ban By South Dakota Senate, Urges Governor to Veto

Research shows that anti-transgender discrimination contributes to suicide risk. WASHINGTON, DC — The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, condemned the South Dakota Senate today for passing HB1217, which would restrict transgender women and girls from playing on school sports teams that correspond with their gender identity. Passed by the state House on February 24th, the bill is now headed to Governor Kristi Noem for signature. The South Dakota High School Activities Association, which governs high school sports and other activities in the state…