List of professional organisations opposing conversion practices targeting gender identity
The following list is a compilation of professional organisations which oppose conversion or reparative therapy targeting transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. The list does not include statements which do not clearly and explicitly prohibit practices targeting gender identity. As such, statements which only mention sexual orientation change efforts are not included. If you wish to suggest an addition to the list, please contact me.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Policy Statement:
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry finds no evidence to support the application of any “therapeutic intervention” operating under the premise that a specific sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression is pathological. Furthermore, based on the scientific evidence, the AACAP asserts that such “conversion therapies” (or other interventions imposed with the intent of promoting a particular sexual orientation and/or gender as a preferred outcome) lack scientific credibility and clinical utility. Additionally, there is evidence that such interventions are harmful. As a result, “conversion therapies” should not be part of any behavioral health treatment of children and adolescents.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry finds no evidence to support the application of any “therapeutic intervention” operating under the premise that a specific sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression is pathological. Furthermore, based on the scientific evidence, the AACAP asserts that such “conversion therapies” (or other interventions imposed with the intent of promoting a particular sexual orientation and/or gender as a preferred outcome) lack scientific credibility and clinical utility. Additionally, there is evidence that such interventions are harmful. As a result, “conversion therapies” should not be part of any behavioral health treatment of children and adolescents.
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Nursing
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
American Counselling Association
American Medical Association
American Medical Student Association
American Psychoanalytic Association
The Association of LGBTQ Psychiatrists
Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues in Counseling
Clinical Social Work Association
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
The Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals and their Allies
World Professional Association for Transgender Health
American Academy of Nursing
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
American Counselling Association
American Medical Association
American Medical Student Association
American Psychoanalytic Association
The Association of LGBTQ Psychiatrists
Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues in Counseling
Clinical Social Work Association
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
The Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals and their Allies
World Professional Association for Transgender Health
Joint Statement (Draft):
The signatories of this statement share a commitment to protecting the public from the risks and harms of conversion therapy and to ensuring full access to the benefits of ethical, affirmative healthcare for sexual and gender minorities. Given the fact that same-sex desire and behavior and gender-variant identity and expression are not mental disorders, and given the lack of evidence showing that conversion therapy can effectively change sexual orientation or gender identity, and given the strong indications that such change efforts can increase stigma and cause other harms to patients and their families, we urge all healthcare professionals to commit themselves to ensure that: […]
The signatories of this statement share a commitment to protecting the public from the risks and harms of conversion therapy and to ensuring full access to the benefits of ethical, affirmative healthcare for sexual and gender minorities. Given the fact that same-sex desire and behavior and gender-variant identity and expression are not mental disorders, and given the lack of evidence showing that conversion therapy can effectively change sexual orientation or gender identity, and given the strong indications that such change efforts can increase stigma and cause other harms to patients and their families, we urge all healthcare professionals to commit themselves to ensure that: […]
American Academy of Pediatrics
Policy Statement:
In contrast, “conversion” or “reparative” treatment models are used to prevent children and adolescents from identifying as transgender or to dissuade them from exhibiting gender-diverse expressions. […] Reparative approaches have been proven to be not only unsuccessful but also deleterious and are considered outside the mainstream of traditional medical practice.
In contrast, “conversion” or “reparative” treatment models are used to prevent children and adolescents from identifying as transgender or to dissuade them from exhibiting gender-diverse expressions. […] Reparative approaches have been proven to be not only unsuccessful but also deleterious and are considered outside the mainstream of traditional medical practice.
American Group Psychotherapy Association
American Mental Health Counselors Association
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
National Association for Children’s Behavioral Health
National Association of School Psychologists
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery
American Mental Health Counselors Association
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
National Association for Children’s Behavioral Health
National Association of School Psychologists
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery
American Mental Health Counselors Association
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
National Association for Children’s Behavioral Health
National Association of School Psychologists
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery
American Mental Health Counselors Association
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
National Association for Children’s Behavioral Health
National Association of School Psychologists
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery
To Whom It May Concern:
There is virtually no credible evidence that any type of psychotherapy can change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and, in fact, conversion efforts pose critical health risks to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, including depression, shame, decreased self-esteem, social withdrawal, substance abuse, risky behavior, and suicidality
There is virtually no credible evidence that any type of psychotherapy can change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and, in fact, conversion efforts pose critical health risks to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, including depression, shame, decreased self-esteem, social withdrawal, substance abuse, risky behavior, and suicidality
American Medical Association
Policy H-160.991:
Our AMA: […] (c) opposes, the use of "reparative" or "conversion" therapy for sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our AMA: […] (c) opposes, the use of "reparative" or "conversion" therapy for sexual orientation or gender identity.
American Psychiatric Association
Approved resource document*:
Expert consensus regarding the treatment of adults has been arrived at after many years of clinical experience. Attempts to engage individuals in psychotherapy to change their gender identity or expression are currently not considered fruitful by the mental health professionals with the most experience working in this area and legal bans of therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation have recently been extended to therapies aimed at changing gender identity or expression in a number of U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Currently, psychotherapeutic involvement with adults with GD is primarily used to assist in clarifying their desire for, and commitment to, changes in gender expression and/or somatic treatments to minimize discordance with their experienced gender, and to ensure that they are aware of and have considered alternatives.
*This document only explicitly opposes conversion or reparative therapy for adults.
Expert consensus regarding the treatment of adults has been arrived at after many years of clinical experience. Attempts to engage individuals in psychotherapy to change their gender identity or expression are currently not considered fruitful by the mental health professionals with the most experience working in this area and legal bans of therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation have recently been extended to therapies aimed at changing gender identity or expression in a number of U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Currently, psychotherapeutic involvement with adults with GD is primarily used to assist in clarifying their desire for, and commitment to, changes in gender expression and/or somatic treatments to minimize discordance with their experienced gender, and to ensure that they are aware of and have considered alternatives.
*This document only explicitly opposes conversion or reparative therapy for adults.
American Psychoanalytic Association
Position Statement:
Psychoanalytic technique does not encompass purposeful attempts to “convert,” “repair,” change or shift an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Such directed efforts are against fundamental principles of psychoanalytic treatment and often result in substantial psychological pain by reinforcing damaging internalized attitudes.
Psychoanalytic technique does not encompass purposeful attempts to “convert,” “repair,” change or shift an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Such directed efforts are against fundamental principles of psychoanalytic treatment and often result in substantial psychological pain by reinforcing damaging internalized attitudes.
American Psychological Association
National Association of School Psychologists
National Association of School Psychologists
Resolution:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists support affirmative interventions with transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents that encourage self-exploration and self-acceptance rather than trying to shift gender identity and gender expression in any specific direction;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists support affirmative interventions with transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents that encourage self-exploration and self-acceptance rather than trying to shift gender identity and gender expression in any specific direction;
American School Counsellor Association
Position statement:
It is not the school counselor’s role to attempt to change a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity. School counselors recognize the profound harm intrinsic to therapies alleging to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity […] and advocate to protect LGBTQ students from this harm.
It is not the school counselor’s role to attempt to change a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity. School counselors recognize the profound harm intrinsic to therapies alleging to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity […] and advocate to protect LGBTQ students from this harm.
Association of Christian Counsellors
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
British Psychoanalytic Council
British Psychological Society
College of Sex and Relationship Therapists
GLADD (The Association of LGBT Doctors and Dentists)
National Counselling Society
NHS England
NHS Scotland
Pink Therapy
Royal College of General Practitioners
UK Council for Psychotherapy
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
British Psychoanalytic Council
British Psychological Society
College of Sex and Relationship Therapists
GLADD (The Association of LGBT Doctors and Dentists)
National Counselling Society
NHS England
NHS Scotland
Pink Therapy
Royal College of General Practitioners
UK Council for Psychotherapy
Memorandum of Understanding:
For the purposes of this document ’conversion therapy’ is an umbrella term for a therapeutic approach, or any model or individual viewpoint that demonstrates an assumption that any sexual orientation or gender identity is inherently preferable to any other, and which attempts to bring about a change of sexual orientation or gender identity, or seeks to supress an individual’s expression of sexual orientation or gender identity on that basis. […] Signatory organisations agree that the practice of conversion therapy, whether in relation to sexual orientation or gender identity, is unethical and potentially harmful.
For the purposes of this document ’conversion therapy’ is an umbrella term for a therapeutic approach, or any model or individual viewpoint that demonstrates an assumption that any sexual orientation or gender identity is inherently preferable to any other, and which attempts to bring about a change of sexual orientation or gender identity, or seeks to supress an individual’s expression of sexual orientation or gender identity on that basis. […] Signatory organisations agree that the practice of conversion therapy, whether in relation to sexual orientation or gender identity, is unethical and potentially harmful.
Australian and New Zealand Professional Association for Transgender Health
Standards of Care:
In the past, psychological practices attempting to change a person’s gender identity to be more aligned with their sex assigned at birth were used. Such practices, typically known as conversion or reparative therapies, lack efficacy, are considered unethical and may cause lasting damage to a child or adolescent’s social and emotional health and wellbeing.
In the past, psychological practices attempting to change a person’s gender identity to be more aligned with their sex assigned at birth were used. Such practices, typically known as conversion or reparative therapies, lack efficacy, are considered unethical and may cause lasting damage to a child or adolescent’s social and emotional health and wellbeing.
Canadian Association of Social Workers
Canadian Association for Social Work Education
Canadian Association for Social Work Education
Joint Statement:
Any professional’s attempt to alter the gender identity or expression of a young person to align with social norms is considered unethical and an abuse of power and authority. Specifically, social workers should reject any attempt to prevent a child from growing up to be transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer.
Any professional’s attempt to alter the gender identity or expression of a young person to align with social norms is considered unethical and an abuse of power and authority. Specifically, social workers should reject any attempt to prevent a child from growing up to be transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer.
Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health
Submission in support of Bill 77:
Clearly, conversion “therapy” and clinical or “therapeutic” interventions that counsel parents to make their affection, love, and support conditional on restricting a child’s gender identity or expression, or that instill shame on children and youth for their gender identity or gender expression are inconsistent with overwhelming consensus of major mental health organizations have no place in professional practice.
Clearly, conversion “therapy” and clinical or “therapeutic” interventions that counsel parents to make their affection, love, and support conditional on restricting a child’s gender identity or expression, or that instill shame on children and youth for their gender identity or gender expression are inconsistent with overwhelming consensus of major mental health organizations have no place in professional practice.
Canadian Psychiatric Association
Policy statement:
The CPA opposes the use of reparative or conversion therapy, given that such therapy is based on the assumption that LGBTQ identities indicate a mental disorder and (or) the assumption that the person could and should change their sexual orientation and (or) their gender identity and gender expression.
The CPA opposes the use of reparative or conversion therapy, given that such therapy is based on the assumption that LGBTQ identities indicate a mental disorder and (or) the assumption that the person could and should change their sexual orientation and (or) their gender identity and gender expression.
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Practice Standards:
Seeking to change or direct a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are not ‘therapy’, are not supported by the profession and do not respect the diversity and dignity of all persons.
Seeking to change or direct a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are not ‘therapy’, are not supported by the profession and do not respect the diversity and dignity of all persons.
International Federation of Social Workers
Statement of Principles:
Social workers must not allow their knowledge and skills to be used for inhumane purposes, such as […] conversion therapy […].
Social workers must not allow their knowledge and skills to be used for inhumane purposes, such as […] conversion therapy […].
Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec
Prise de position:
En septembre dernier, le conseil d’administration de l’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux (OTSTCFQ) a donné son appui à la déclaration concernant l’affirmation des enfants et des jeunes transgenres, adoptée par l’Association canadienne pour la formation en travail social (CASWE-ACFTS) et par l’Association canadienne des travailleuses et travailleurs sociaux (ACTS) en 2015.
Ce faisant, l’OTSTCFQ adhère aux valeurs et principes d’intervention énoncés dans cette déclaration. Cette dernière vient soutenir l’intervention des travailleurs sociaux auprès des jeunes trans. Elle répond au besoin de référent théorique et d’orientations plus substantielles en matière d’intervention sociale auprès de cette population
En septembre dernier, le conseil d’administration de l’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux (OTSTCFQ) a donné son appui à la déclaration concernant l’affirmation des enfants et des jeunes transgenres, adoptée par l’Association canadienne pour la formation en travail social (CASWE-ACFTS) et par l’Association canadienne des travailleuses et travailleurs sociaux (ACTS) en 2015.
Ce faisant, l’OTSTCFQ adhère aux valeurs et principes d’intervention énoncés dans cette déclaration. Cette dernière vient soutenir l’intervention des travailleurs sociaux auprès des jeunes trans. Elle répond au besoin de référent théorique et d’orientations plus substantielles en matière d’intervention sociale auprès de cette population
Ordre professionel des sexologues du Québec
Avis au public:
L’Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec désire informer les personnes qui souhaiteraient obtenir de tels services, pour elles-mêmes ou pour leur enfant, que : l’efficacité de ces thérapies n’est pas démontrée ; des effets psychologiques nuisibles ont été démontrés sur les personnes qui les ont suivies ; qu’elles sont interdites dans plusieurs régions du monde et par la plupart des associations professionnelles de psychologie, de psychiatrie et de médecine ainsi que des ordres professionnels, incluant l’Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec comme en fait foi le présent avis.
L’Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec désire informer les personnes qui souhaiteraient obtenir de tels services, pour elles-mêmes ou pour leur enfant, que : l’efficacité de ces thérapies n’est pas démontrée ; des effets psychologiques nuisibles ont été démontrés sur les personnes qui les ont suivies ; qu’elles sont interdites dans plusieurs régions du monde et par la plupart des associations professionnelles de psychologie, de psychiatrie et de médecine ainsi que des ordres professionnels, incluant l’Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec comme en fait foi le présent avis.
National Association of Social Workers
Position Statement:
The term sexual orientation change efforts (or SOCE) include any practice seeking to change a person’s sexual orientation, including, but not limited to, efforts to change behaviors, gender identity, or gender expressions, or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward a person of the same gender.
[…]
The practice of SOCE violates the very tenets of the social work profession as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics. […] The National Committee on LGBT Issues asserts that conversion therapy or SOCE are an infringement of the guiding principles inherent to social worker ethics and values; a position affirmed by the NASW policy statement on “Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues” (NASW 2014).
The term sexual orientation change efforts (or SOCE) include any practice seeking to change a person’s sexual orientation, including, but not limited to, efforts to change behaviors, gender identity, or gender expressions, or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward a person of the same gender.
[…]
The practice of SOCE violates the very tenets of the social work profession as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics. […] The National Committee on LGBT Issues asserts that conversion therapy or SOCE are an infringement of the guiding principles inherent to social worker ethics and values; a position affirmed by the NASW policy statement on “Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues” (NASW 2014).
NHS England
Service Specifications:
Providers will not deliver, promote or refer individuals to any form of conversion therapy. The practice of conversion therapy is unethical and potentially harmful.
*This document only explicitly opposes conversion or reparative therapy for adults. For a statement including youth, see NHS England’s endorsement of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Providers will not deliver, promote or refer individuals to any form of conversion therapy. The practice of conversion therapy is unethical and potentially harmful.
*This document only explicitly opposes conversion or reparative therapy for adults. For a statement including youth, see NHS England’s endorsement of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Position Statement:
The term ‘conversion therapy’ has also been used to describe treatments for transgender people that aim to suppress or divert their gender identity — i.e. to make them cisgender — that is exclusively identified with the sex assigned to them at birth. Conversion therapies may draw from treatment principles established for other purposes, for example psychoanalytic or behaviour therapy. They may include barriers to gender-affirming medical and psychological treatments. There is no scientific support for use of treatments in such a way and such applications are widely regarded as unacceptable.
The term ‘conversion therapy’ has also been used to describe treatments for transgender people that aim to suppress or divert their gender identity — i.e. to make them cisgender — that is exclusively identified with the sex assigned to them at birth. Conversion therapies may draw from treatment principles established for other purposes, for example psychoanalytic or behaviour therapy. They may include barriers to gender-affirming medical and psychological treatments. There is no scientific support for use of treatments in such a way and such applications are widely regarded as unacceptable.
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
Position paper:
Reparative “therapy,” which attempts to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity, is inherently coercive and inconsistent with current standards of medical care
Reparative “therapy,” which attempts to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity, is inherently coercive and inconsistent with current standards of medical care
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Consensus Statement:
Interventions aimed at a fixed outcome, such as gender conformity or heterosexual orientation, including those aimed at changing gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation are coercive, can be harmful, and should not be part of behavioral health treatment. Directing the child to be conforming to any gender expression or sexual orientation, or directing the parents to place pressure for specific gender expressions, gender identities, and sexual orientations are inappropriate and reinforce harmful gender and sexual orientation stereotypes.
[…]
It is clinically inappropriate for behavioral health professionals to have a prescriptive goal related to gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation for the ultimate developmental outcome of a child’s or adolescent’s gender identity or gender expression.
Interventions aimed at a fixed outcome, such as gender conformity or heterosexual orientation, including those aimed at changing gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation are coercive, can be harmful, and should not be part of behavioral health treatment. Directing the child to be conforming to any gender expression or sexual orientation, or directing the parents to place pressure for specific gender expressions, gender identities, and sexual orientations are inappropriate and reinforce harmful gender and sexual orientation stereotypes.
[…]
It is clinically inappropriate for behavioral health professionals to have a prescriptive goal related to gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation for the ultimate developmental outcome of a child’s or adolescent’s gender identity or gender expression.
World Professional Association for Transgender Health
Standards of Care:
Treatment aimed at trying to change a person’s gender identity and expression to become more congruent with sex assigned at birth has been attempted in the past without success […], particularly in the long term […]. Such treatment is no longer considered ethical.
Treatment aimed at trying to change a person’s gender identity and expression to become more congruent with sex assigned at birth has been attempted in the past without success […], particularly in the long term […]. Such treatment is no longer considered ethical.
List of jurisdictions prohibiting conversion practices targeting gender identity
The following list is a compilation of national and major administrative jurisdictions (such as provinces and states) prohibiting conversion or reparative therapy targeting transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. The list does not include jurisdictions which only prohibit reparative practices targeting sexual orientation, nor jurisdictions which prohibit mental health diagnoses based solely on gender identity, but do not explicitly prohibit reparative therapy. Not all relevant provisions of law for each jurisdiction was included. If you need help in finding all relevant provisions or want to suggest an addition to the list, contact me.
Canada
Ontario, Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991:
29.1 (1) No person shall, in the course of providing health care services, provide any treatment that seeks to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person under 18 years of age.
(2) The treatments mentioned in subsection (1) do not include,
(a) services that provide acceptance, support or understanding of a person or the facilitation of a person’s coping, social support or identity exploration or development; and
(b) sex-reassignment surgery or any services related to sex-reassignment surgery.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person is capable with respect to the treatment and consents to the provision of the treatment.
(4) Despite the Health Care Consent Act, 1996, a substitute decision-maker may not give consent on a person’ s behalf to the provision of any treatment described in subsection (1).
Nova Scotia,Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protection Act:
6 (1) No member of a regulated health profession shall, in the course of the member’ s scope of practice, provide any hospital or professional services with the objective to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person under the age of nineteen years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where the person receiving the services is over the age of sixteen years, capable of consenting to the services and consents to the services.
(3) Notwithstanding any other Act, a parent, guardian, substitute decision-maker or representative decision-maker may not give consent on a person’ s behalf to the provision of any services described in subsection (1).
7 (1) No person in a position of trust or authority towards a young person under the age of nineteen years shall make any change effort with respect to the young person.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where the young person is over the age of sixteen years, capable of consenting to the change effort and consents to the change effort.
(3) Notwithstanding any other Act, a parent, guardian, substitute decision-maker or representative decision-maker may not give consent on a person’ s behalf to the provision of any efforts described in subsection (1).
8 For greater certainty, the services and change efforts referred to in Sections 4 and 5, subsection 6(1) and subsection 7(1) do not include
(a) services that provide acceptance, support or understanding of a resident or the facilitation of a resident’ s coping, social support or identity exploration or development; and
(b) gender-confirming surgery or any services related to gender-confirming surgery.
29.1 (1) No person shall, in the course of providing health care services, provide any treatment that seeks to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person under 18 years of age.
(2) The treatments mentioned in subsection (1) do not include,
(a) services that provide acceptance, support or understanding of a person or the facilitation of a person’s coping, social support or identity exploration or development; and
(b) sex-reassignment surgery or any services related to sex-reassignment surgery.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person is capable with respect to the treatment and consents to the provision of the treatment.
(4) Despite the Health Care Consent Act, 1996, a substitute decision-maker may not give consent on a person’ s behalf to the provision of any treatment described in subsection (1).
Nova Scotia,Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protection Act:
6 (1) No member of a regulated health profession shall, in the course of the member’ s scope of practice, provide any hospital or professional services with the objective to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person under the age of nineteen years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where the person receiving the services is over the age of sixteen years, capable of consenting to the services and consents to the services.
(3) Notwithstanding any other Act, a parent, guardian, substitute decision-maker or representative decision-maker may not give consent on a person’ s behalf to the provision of any services described in subsection (1).
7 (1) No person in a position of trust or authority towards a young person under the age of nineteen years shall make any change effort with respect to the young person.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where the young person is over the age of sixteen years, capable of consenting to the change effort and consents to the change effort.
(3) Notwithstanding any other Act, a parent, guardian, substitute decision-maker or representative decision-maker may not give consent on a person’ s behalf to the provision of any efforts described in subsection (1).
8 For greater certainty, the services and change efforts referred to in Sections 4 and 5, subsection 6(1) and subsection 7(1) do not include
(a) services that provide acceptance, support or understanding of a resident or the facilitation of a resident’ s coping, social support or identity exploration or development; and
(b) gender-confirming surgery or any services related to gender-confirming surgery.
United States
Colorado, Colo. Rev. Stat.:
§ 12-36-102.5. (5.5) (a) “Conversion therapy” means any practice or treatment by a licensed physician specializing in the practice of psychiatry that attempts or purports to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings towards individuals of the same sex.
§ 12-36-117. (1) “Unprofessional conduct” as used in this article 36 means:
(nn) Engaging in conversion therapy with a patient who is under eighteen years of age.
Connecticut, Conn. Gen. Stat.:
§ 19a-907a. (a) No health care provider shall engage in conversion therapy.
(b) Any conversion therapy practiced by a health care provider shall be considered unprofessional conduct and shall be grounds for disciplinary action under section 19a-17, 21a-7 or 21a-8 of the general statutes, including, but not limited to, suspension or revocation of the professional’s license, certification or registration to practice his or her profession.
Delaware, Del. Code tit. 24, § 1731.
(a) A person to whom a certificate to practice medicine in this State has been issued may be disciplined by the Board for unprofessional conduct, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, by means of levying a fine, or by the restriction, suspension, or revocation, either permanent or temporary, of that person’ s certificate to practice medicine, or by other appropriate action, which may include a requirement that a person who is disciplined must complete specified continuing education courses.
(b) “Unprofessional conduct” includes any of the following acts or omissions:
(24) Engaging in conversion therapy with a child
District of Columbia, D.C. Code § 7–1231.14a:
(a) A provider shall not engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a consumer who is a minor.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be considered a failure to conform to acceptable conduct within the mental health profession under § 3-1205.14(a)(26) and shall subject a provider to discipline and penalties under § 3-1205.14(c).
Hawaii, Senate Bill 270:
§1. (a) No person who is licensed to provide professional counseling shall:
(1) Engage in or attempt to engage in sexual orientation change efforts on a person under eighteen years of age; or
(2) Advertise the offering of sexual orientation change efforts on a person under eighteen years of age.
(b) Any person who is licensed to provide professional counseling who engages in or attempts to engage in the offering of sexual orientation change efforts on a person under eighteen years of age shall be subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate professional licensing authority.
Maine, Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, §2112:
An individual licensed or certified under this chapter may not advertise, offer or administer conversion therapy to a minor.
Maryland, Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 1-212.1:
(b) A mental health or child care practitioner may not engage in conversion therapy with an individual who is a minor.
(c) A mental health or child care practitioner who engaged in conversion therapy with an individual who is a minor shall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct and shall be subject to discipline by the mental health or child care practitioner’ s licensing or certifying board.
Massachusetts, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 275:
(b) A health care provider shall not advertise for or engage in sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts with a patient less than 18 years of age.
(c) Any health care provider who violates this section shall be such subject to discipline by the appropriate licensing board, which may include suspension or revocation of license.
(d) Any health care provider who violates this section shall be considered to have violated section 2 of chapter 93A. Any such claim brought under this section shall be subject to sections 5A and 7 of chapter 260.
Nevada, Nev. Rev. Stat. §629.600:
1. A psychotherapist shall not provide any conversion therapy to a person who is under 18 years of age regardless of the willingness of the person or his or her parent or legal guardian to authorize such therapy.
2. Any violation of subsection 1 is a ground for disciplinary action by a state board that licenses a psychotherapist as defined in subsection 3.
New Hampshire, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 332-L:
2. I. A person who is licensed to provide professional counseling under RSA 326-B, RSA 328-D, RSA 329, RSA 329-B, RSA 330-A:16, RSA 330-A:18, RSA 330-A:19, RSA 330-A:20, RSA 330-A:21, or RSA 330-C, including, but not limited to, a nurse, physician assistant, physician, psychologist, clinical social worker, clinical mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, or licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a person who performs counseling as part of the person’s professional training for any of these professions, shall not engage in conversion therapy with a person under 18 years of age.
II. Any licensed professional, as listed in paragraph I, who proposes to engage or engages in conversion therapy on a patient under 18 years of age shall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct and shall be subject to such discipline as the relevant licensing authority deems appropriate.
3. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to infringe on any constitutional right, including the free exercise of religion.
New Jersey, N.J. Rev. Stat. § 45:1-55:
2. a. A person who is licensed to provide professional counseling under Title 45 of the Revised Statutes, including, but not limited to, a psychiatrist, licensed practicing psychologist, certified social worker, licensed clinical social worker, licensed social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, certified psychoanalyst, or a person who performs counseling as part of the person’s professional training for any of these professions, shall not engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a person under 18 years of age.
New Mexico, N.M. Stat. § 61-1-3.3:
A. A person licensed pursuant to provisions of Chapter 61 NMSA 1978 shall not provide conversion therapy to any person under eighteen years of age. The provision of conversion therapy in violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be grounds for disciplinary action by a board in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Licensing Act.
New York, N.Y. Educ. §6509-1:
2. It shall be professional misconduct for a mental health professional to engage in sexual orientation change efforts upon any patient under the age of eighteen years, and any mental health professional found guilty of such misconduct under the procedures prescribed in section sixty-five hundred ten of this subarticle shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in section sixty-five hundred eleven of this subarticle.
Oregon, Or. Rev. Stat. §675.850:
(1) A mental health care or social health professional may not practice conversion therapy if the recipient of the conversion therapy is under 18 years of age.
(3) Any state board that regulates licensees described in subsection (2)(b)(B) of this section may impose any form of discipline that the board may impose on a licensee under the laws of this state for violating a law of this state or a rule adopted by the board.
Rhode Island, 23 R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-94-3:
(a) No licensed professional shall advertise for or engage in conversion therapy efforts with or relating to a patient(s) under the age of eighteen (18).
(b) Any conversion therapy practiced by a licensed professional, as defined in § 23-94-2, on a patient under the age of eighteen (18) shall be considered unprofessional conduct and shall subject them to discipline by the department, which discipline may include suspension and revocation of the professional’s license.
Vermont, Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18:
§ 8352. A mental health care provider shall not use conversion therapy with a client younger than 18 years of age.
§ 8353. Any conversion therapy used on a client younger than 18 years of age by a mental health care provider shall constitute unprofessional conduct as provided in the relevant provisions of Title 26 and shall subject the mental health care provider to discipline pursuant to the applicable provisions of that title and of 3 V.S.A. chapter 5.
Washington, Wash. Rev. Code § 18-130-180:
The following conduct, acts, or conditions constitute unprofessional conduct for any license holder under the jurisdiction of this chapter:
(27) Performing conversion therapy on a patient under age eighteen.
§ 12-36-102.5. (5.5) (a) “Conversion therapy” means any practice or treatment by a licensed physician specializing in the practice of psychiatry that attempts or purports to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings towards individuals of the same sex.
§ 12-36-117. (1) “Unprofessional conduct” as used in this article 36 means:
(nn) Engaging in conversion therapy with a patient who is under eighteen years of age.
Connecticut, Conn. Gen. Stat.:
§ 19a-907a. (a) No health care provider shall engage in conversion therapy.
(b) Any conversion therapy practiced by a health care provider shall be considered unprofessional conduct and shall be grounds for disciplinary action under section 19a-17, 21a-7 or 21a-8 of the general statutes, including, but not limited to, suspension or revocation of the professional’s license, certification or registration to practice his or her profession.
Delaware, Del. Code tit. 24, § 1731.
(a) A person to whom a certificate to practice medicine in this State has been issued may be disciplined by the Board for unprofessional conduct, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, by means of levying a fine, or by the restriction, suspension, or revocation, either permanent or temporary, of that person’ s certificate to practice medicine, or by other appropriate action, which may include a requirement that a person who is disciplined must complete specified continuing education courses.
(b) “Unprofessional conduct” includes any of the following acts or omissions:
(24) Engaging in conversion therapy with a child
District of Columbia, D.C. Code § 7–1231.14a:
(a) A provider shall not engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a consumer who is a minor.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be considered a failure to conform to acceptable conduct within the mental health profession under § 3-1205.14(a)(26) and shall subject a provider to discipline and penalties under § 3-1205.14(c).
Hawaii, Senate Bill 270:
§1. (a) No person who is licensed to provide professional counseling shall:
(1) Engage in or attempt to engage in sexual orientation change efforts on a person under eighteen years of age; or
(2) Advertise the offering of sexual orientation change efforts on a person under eighteen years of age.
(b) Any person who is licensed to provide professional counseling who engages in or attempts to engage in the offering of sexual orientation change efforts on a person under eighteen years of age shall be subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate professional licensing authority.
Maine, Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, §2112:
An individual licensed or certified under this chapter may not advertise, offer or administer conversion therapy to a minor.
Maryland, Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 1-212.1:
(b) A mental health or child care practitioner may not engage in conversion therapy with an individual who is a minor.
(c) A mental health or child care practitioner who engaged in conversion therapy with an individual who is a minor shall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct and shall be subject to discipline by the mental health or child care practitioner’ s licensing or certifying board.
Massachusetts, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 275:
(b) A health care provider shall not advertise for or engage in sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts with a patient less than 18 years of age.
(c) Any health care provider who violates this section shall be such subject to discipline by the appropriate licensing board, which may include suspension or revocation of license.
(d) Any health care provider who violates this section shall be considered to have violated section 2 of chapter 93A. Any such claim brought under this section shall be subject to sections 5A and 7 of chapter 260.
Nevada, Nev. Rev. Stat. §629.600:
1. A psychotherapist shall not provide any conversion therapy to a person who is under 18 years of age regardless of the willingness of the person or his or her parent or legal guardian to authorize such therapy.
2. Any violation of subsection 1 is a ground for disciplinary action by a state board that licenses a psychotherapist as defined in subsection 3.
New Hampshire, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 332-L:
2. I. A person who is licensed to provide professional counseling under RSA 326-B, RSA 328-D, RSA 329, RSA 329-B, RSA 330-A:16, RSA 330-A:18, RSA 330-A:19, RSA 330-A:20, RSA 330-A:21, or RSA 330-C, including, but not limited to, a nurse, physician assistant, physician, psychologist, clinical social worker, clinical mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, or licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a person who performs counseling as part of the person’s professional training for any of these professions, shall not engage in conversion therapy with a person under 18 years of age.
II. Any licensed professional, as listed in paragraph I, who proposes to engage or engages in conversion therapy on a patient under 18 years of age shall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct and shall be subject to such discipline as the relevant licensing authority deems appropriate.
3. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to infringe on any constitutional right, including the free exercise of religion.
New Jersey, N.J. Rev. Stat. § 45:1-55:
2. a. A person who is licensed to provide professional counseling under Title 45 of the Revised Statutes, including, but not limited to, a psychiatrist, licensed practicing psychologist, certified social worker, licensed clinical social worker, licensed social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, certified psychoanalyst, or a person who performs counseling as part of the person’s professional training for any of these professions, shall not engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a person under 18 years of age.
New Mexico, N.M. Stat. § 61-1-3.3:
A. A person licensed pursuant to provisions of Chapter 61 NMSA 1978 shall not provide conversion therapy to any person under eighteen years of age. The provision of conversion therapy in violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be grounds for disciplinary action by a board in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Licensing Act.
New York, N.Y. Educ. §6509-1:
2. It shall be professional misconduct for a mental health professional to engage in sexual orientation change efforts upon any patient under the age of eighteen years, and any mental health professional found guilty of such misconduct under the procedures prescribed in section sixty-five hundred ten of this subarticle shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in section sixty-five hundred eleven of this subarticle.
Oregon, Or. Rev. Stat. §675.850:
(1) A mental health care or social health professional may not practice conversion therapy if the recipient of the conversion therapy is under 18 years of age.
(3) Any state board that regulates licensees described in subsection (2)(b)(B) of this section may impose any form of discipline that the board may impose on a licensee under the laws of this state for violating a law of this state or a rule adopted by the board.
Rhode Island, 23 R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-94-3:
(a) No licensed professional shall advertise for or engage in conversion therapy efforts with or relating to a patient(s) under the age of eighteen (18).
(b) Any conversion therapy practiced by a licensed professional, as defined in § 23-94-2, on a patient under the age of eighteen (18) shall be considered unprofessional conduct and shall subject them to discipline by the department, which discipline may include suspension and revocation of the professional’s license.
Vermont, Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18:
§ 8352. A mental health care provider shall not use conversion therapy with a client younger than 18 years of age.
§ 8353. Any conversion therapy used on a client younger than 18 years of age by a mental health care provider shall constitute unprofessional conduct as provided in the relevant provisions of Title 26 and shall subject the mental health care provider to discipline pursuant to the applicable provisions of that title and of 3 V.S.A. chapter 5.
Washington, Wash. Rev. Code § 18-130-180:
The following conduct, acts, or conditions constitute unprofessional conduct for any license holder under the jurisdiction of this chapter:
(27) Performing conversion therapy on a patient under age eighteen.
Malta
Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act:
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
“conversion practices” refers to any treatment, practice or sustained effort that aims to change, repress and, or eliminate a person’ s sexual orientation, gender identity and, or gender expression; such practices do not include -
(a) any services and, or interventions related to the exploration and, or free development of a person and, or affirmation of one’s identity with regard to one or more of the characteristics being affirmed by this Act, through counselling, psychotherapeutic services and, or similar services; or
(b) any healthcare service related to the free development and, or affirmation of one’ s gender identity and, or gender expression of a person; and, or
(c) any healthcare service related to the treatment of a mental disorder;
“gender identity” refers to each person’s internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth, including the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance and, or functions by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including name, dress, speech and mannerisms;
3. It shall be unlawful –
(a) for any person to:
(i) perform conversion practices on a vulnerable person; or
(ii) perform involuntary and, or forced conversion practices on a person; or
(iii) advertise conversion practices; and, or
(b) for a professional to:
(i) offer and, or perform conversion practices on any person irrespective of whether compensation is received in exchange; or
(ii) make a referral to any other person to perform conversion practices on any person.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
“conversion practices” refers to any treatment, practice or sustained effort that aims to change, repress and, or eliminate a person’ s sexual orientation, gender identity and, or gender expression; such practices do not include -
(a) any services and, or interventions related to the exploration and, or free development of a person and, or affirmation of one’s identity with regard to one or more of the characteristics being affirmed by this Act, through counselling, psychotherapeutic services and, or similar services; or
(b) any healthcare service related to the free development and, or affirmation of one’ s gender identity and, or gender expression of a person; and, or
(c) any healthcare service related to the treatment of a mental disorder;
“gender identity” refers to each person’s internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth, including the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance and, or functions by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including name, dress, speech and mannerisms;
3. It shall be unlawful –
(a) for any person to:
(i) perform conversion practices on a vulnerable person; or
(ii) perform involuntary and, or forced conversion practices on a person; or
(iii) advertise conversion practices; and, or
(b) for a professional to:
(i) offer and, or perform conversion practices on any person irrespective of whether compensation is received in exchange; or
(ii) make a referral to any other person to perform conversion practices on any person.
Puerto Rico
Boletín Administrativo Núm. OE-2019-016:
Sección 1ra. Se declara política pública del Gobierno de Puerto Rico la protección de la niñez a través de la prohibición de las terapias de conversión o reparativas para cambiar la orientación sexual o identidad de género de menores de edad.
Sección 7ma. Se exhorta a la Junta Examinadora de Psicólogos y a la Junta Examinadora de Consejeros Profesionales, como entes reguladores del ejercicio de la psicología y consejería profesional en Puerto Rico, a prohibir el ofrecimiento de servicios de terapias de conversión o reparativas para cambiar de la orientación sexual o identidad de género en personas menores de edad.
Sección 1ra. Se declara política pública del Gobierno de Puerto Rico la protección de la niñez a través de la prohibición de las terapias de conversión o reparativas para cambiar la orientación sexual o identidad de género de menores de edad.
Sección 7ma. Se exhorta a la Junta Examinadora de Psicólogos y a la Junta Examinadora de Consejeros Profesionales, como entes reguladores del ejercicio de la psicología y consejería profesional en Puerto Rico, a prohibir el ofrecimiento de servicios de terapias de conversión o reparativas para cambiar de la orientación sexual o identidad de género en personas menores de edad.
Non-binary and genderqueer resources
Nic Rider and I have created a Google Spreadsheet of writing on non-binary and genderqueer issues. It contains a list of scholarly sources and non-scholarly sources on the topic (although we have focused much more heavily on scholarly sources). It contains information identifying the source as well as providing a very short summary of it, which field it is from, whether it is peer-reviewed, and whether it is known to be led by a non-binary person.
We invite suggestions as well as corrections. We attempted to figure out if the people publicly identified themselves as non-binary, but did not engage in extensive searches. For the most part, we looked at people’s institutional biographies and the paper itself. A paper is non-binary led, for our purposes, if the lead author or half the authors are known to be non-binary.
We hope people will find it useful to their work!
We invite suggestions as well as corrections. We attempted to figure out if the people publicly identified themselves as non-binary, but did not engage in extensive searches. For the most part, we looked at people’s institutional biographies and the paper itself. A paper is non-binary led, for our purposes, if the lead author or half the authors are known to be non-binary.
We hope people will find it useful to their work!
Syllabi
Dubbed the “Transgender Tipping Point” by TIME Magazine, the year 2014 has augured a momentous shift in trans communities’ place in the Global North sociopolitical landscape. In the bittersweet throes of a newfound visibility, the nascent field of trans studies had to compose not only with a changing social world but also a proliferation of perspectives as more and more trans scholars sought a home in academia. Rather than focusing on foundational text from the early days of trans studies, this course centers contemporary debates and publications by trans scholars who will undoubtedly shape the trans studies of tomorrow. The goals of the course are (1) to critically engage with the possibility and possibilities of trans studies, (2) to explore contemporary understandings of trans subjectivity, and (3) to problematize the logics of visibility in contemporary trans politics.