Dear John,

Great news! The public comment forum for the Board of Medicine’s guidance document banning conversion therapy is open. That means we only have 3 Days for commenters to voice their support for these regulatory bans. Please take a few minutes today to comment your support for the guidance document. The forum closes 11:59pm Wednesday 12/11/2019.

Virginia licensing boards are taking efforts to change their regulations to ban the practice of “conversion therapy”. If these bans pass, engaging in conversion therapy will be grounds for removing of a license to practice psychology, counseling, or social work. By using these public comment forums, you are able to let the boards know that residents of the Commonwealth do not see conversion therapy as an acceptable practice and we expect Virginia to change its standard.

Talking points

These sentence have been rigorously tested and are proven to be effective messages when convincing policy-makers to ban this harmful practice. Use these to craft the message that you will submit below.

  • This guidance will protect youth from so-called “conversion therapy,” a dangerous and discredited practice aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • These dangerous and discredited practices are based on the false claim that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) is a mental illness that needs to be cured—a view with no scientific basis.
  • This guidance protects young people from state-licensed therapists in Virginia who falsely claim to parents and youth that being LGBTQ is a mental illness, and therefore taking advantage of parents and harming vulnerable youth.
  • These harmful practices use rejection, shame, and psychological abuse to force young people to try and change who they are.
  • These practices are known to be extremely dangerous and can lead to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, and even suicide attempts.
  • No young person should ever be shamed by a mental health professional into thinking that who they are is wrong. Mental health professionals should provide care that is ethical and affirming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people.
  • We can’t allow one more young person to be targeted and hurt by these dangerous and discredited practices.

Click here to submit your comment now!

We want to make sure that the comments are filled with support from LGBTQ+ advocates and allies. That’s where we need your help. 

Thank you, 
Equality Virginia 

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Equality Virginia
PO Box 17860 | Richmond, VA 23226-7860
t. 804.643.4816
[email protected]

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