HEALTH
Trans Conversion Therapy Widespread
Researchers say dangerous practice is seen in every state
BY MATT TRACY
A whopping 13.5 percent of transgender
Americans spanning every
US state have been subjected to socalled
conversion therapy in their
lifetime, according to a new study published by
the American Journal of Public Health.
Researchers at the Fenway Institute, citing
data from the National Center for Transgender
Equality and the Williams Institute of UCLA,
concluded that the dangerous practice of trying
to change a person’s gender identity has
been attempted on an estimated 187,923 trans
individuals. Conversion therapy focused on attempting
to change a person’s sexual orientation
is also prevalent, but was not considered
for this study.
The data revealed especially disturbing realities
of the widespread nature of the practice in
the United States. Trans individuals have suffered
from conversion therapy in certain states
more than others: 9.4 percent of trans respondents
in South Carolina, for example, said they
were exposed to attempts to change their gender
TED EYTAN/ FLICKR
Hundreds of thousands of transgender people nationwide have
been exposed to conversion therapy — and it’s especially a problem
in the mountain region
identity during their lifetime compared to
25 percent in Wyoming. Meanwhile, in the window
of time between 2010 and 2015, 1.2 percent
of trans Alaskans said they were exposed to it
compared to 25 percent of Wyoming residents.
Notably, trans people
in the upper mountain
region have been
particularly exposed
to conversion therapy,
according to the
study.
The research underscores
the depth of a
practice that has been
increasingly curtailed
across the nation:
More than a dozen
states and municipalities
have banned the
practice from being
used on children.
The American Psychological Association,
American Psychiatric Association, American
Academy of Pediatrics, and numerous other
professional groups oppose attempts to change
a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Dr. Jack Turban, who is one of the study’s
authors and serves as a resident physician in
psychiatry at The Massachusetts General Hospital
and McLean Hospital, told Gay City News
that the fi ndings are “extremely concerning.”
“We hope that these fi ndings will encourage
state lawmakers to move forward with legislation
that bans gender identity change efforts,”
Turban said. “Some state legislators have argued
that this practice does not occur in their
states. Our fi ndings show that this is false; gender
identity change efforts have happened in every
state in the US.”
Legal hurdles that have largely limited states
to banning conversion therapy on minors is
problematic, according to the study’s authors,
who are stressing that the negative impact of
the practice on adults should not be understated.
“We believe that gender identity change efforts
are dangerous for people of all ages,”
Turban stated. “The practice promotes shame
and subsequent mental health problems. Ideal
legislative efforts would ban all gender identity
change efforts.”
Still, the authors recommend that future
studies should focus on conversion therapy
among youths because previous research has
indicated that there are stronger links between
adverse mental health outcomes among adults
who have been exposed to the practice when
they were young.
“Given this exposure’s association with adverse
mental health outcomes, the frequency of
practice warrants public health attention,” the
study noted.
DEMAND JUSTICE
Victims of sexual abuse by
Catholic clergy or by authority
figures at school have rights.
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY LAW HAVE
EXTENDED THE TIME PERIOD IN WHICH TO FILE
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