APA recently joined 28 U.S.-based medical and psychological professional associations representing more than 1.3 million health care providers in a letter endorsing the U.S. Joint Statement Against Conversion Efforts (PDF, 131KB)opens in new window. An estimated 698,000 LGBTQ+ adults have undergone these efforts, 350,000 as adolescents.
The statement is a shared framework of principles and guidelines when addressing the needs of people who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is specifically concerned with ending the practice of so-called conversion therapy, also known as reparative or reorientation therapy, or by the terms of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) or gender identity change efforts (GICE). Signatories hope the statement will be a helpful new tool to end conversion therapy in the U.S., and that it could have a spillover effect in other countries as well. More information about the joint statement is available onlineopens in new window.
Many contributed to the response, with APA’s Div. 44 (Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity) and APA’s Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity calling on the association to sign on.
APA adopted resolutions opposing SOCE (PDF, 322KB)opens in new window and GICE (PDF, 106KB)opens in new window based on psychological science in February 2021. At the federal level, APA Services supports the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act (H.R. 4340 (PDF, 240KB)opens in new window), a bill that protects LGBTQ+ adolescents and adults by making it unlawful for anyone to engage in these practices. The bill would expand current bans around the U.S. that only apply to licensed mental health providers.
Psychologists can review APA’s resources for grassroots and state-level advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues for more information.
For more information, contact Raegina Likewise.