To the editor:

Across Michigan, there are approximately 61,000 youth who identify as LGBTQ+. Did you know there is an outdated method of therapy still utilized today aimed at changing these youths’ sexual orientation and gender identity?

It’s called conversion therapy.

Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, can be practiced through physically aversive methods that cause pain, like electroshock or use of water, but the majority of conversion therapy practiced is ‘talk therapy’ to falsely treat the trauma or child abuse that it is believed to be causing the clients diversion from the social norm. The goal of this practice is to ‘cure’ the individual.

The results of this practice have been devastating. Conversion therapy has resulted in youth being five times more likely to commit suicide and eight times more likely to develop anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideations. Despite the fact that multiple national mental health organizations have taken a stance against conversion therapy, it is still utilized today.

Of the 61,000 LGBTQ+ youth mentioned above, 13% (roughly 8,000) are at risk of experiencing conversion therapy. They are forced to try and ‘fix’ the part of themselves their caretakers see as broken or damaged. It is important these youth are aided by mental health professionals utilizing techniques widely supported by evidence to navigate society.

What can you do to protect these children?

There are currently two bills, Senate Bill 0367 and House Bill 4651, that will ban mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy with minor patients within the state of Michigan. Both bills are stuck in committee. Please write to the committee chairs and tell them to support these bills!

House Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors: Rodney Wakeman: N-1198 House Office Building, P.O. Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909 P: (517)373-0837

E: RodneyWakeman@house.mi.gov

Senate Committee on Health Policy and Human Services: Curtis Vanderwall : Senator Curt VanderWall P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909-7536 P: (517) 373-1725

E: SenCVanderWall@senate.michigan.gov