On April 8, 2015, President Obama called for an end to 'Conversion Therapy' for LGBT youth. This came as a response to the 'Leelah Alcorn' case where a transgender teenager committed suicide after being forced to undergo such therapy. The President's statement is aimed towards ensuring the mental wellbeing of LGBT youth and preventing the perpetuation of harmful practices that can lead to self-harm and suicide.
Conversion Therapy, also known as 'reparative therapy,' is a practice used to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. It is a harmful practice that is not based on any scientific evidence, and it has been linked to depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. This is because it involves the use of extreme measures, including psychological abuse, isolation, and public shaming. The therapy reinforces harmful stereotypes and leaves the individual feeling ashamed and ostracized.
Obama's urging for the ban is in line with declarations made by the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics that have denounced conversion therapy as harmful and ineffective. These medical institutions maintain that it poses significant health risks and is not based on any scientific evidence. The ban aims to protect LGBT youth from being subjected to this kind of therapy and ensures that their mental health and wellbeing are safeguarded.
The call for an end to conversion therapy is commendable, but for real change to occur, acceptance and support must come from a broader societal level. It is essential to create an inclusive environment that recognizes and accepts people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is because acceptance and support are crucial factors in promoting mental health and decreasing the risk of self-harm. It is important to listen to and understand the unique experiences of LGBT individuals while providing them with support and love.
President Obama has taken an important step in fighting the use of conversion therapy by recommending a ban to protect LGBT youth. However, it is ultimately up to society as a whole to promote acceptance and support for those who identify as LGBT. Such attitudes help foster positive mental health and decrease the risk of self-harm, suicide, or other extreme and harmful actions.
