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GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Comment By Mary Denny MailTribune.com By Mary Denny Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Mary Denny Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth are victims of child abuse by licensed mental health practitioners who use conversion therapy, also known as ex-gay therapy. Conversion therapy is intended to change an individual’s sexual orientation from homosexual, bisexual or transgendered to heterosexual. These practitioners believe homosexuality is an illness that needs to be cured; despite the fact all major health care associations have long since discredited that theory. Through a process called "orgasmic reconditioning," LGBT youth are subjected to induced nausea, vomiting or paralysis while being shown homoerotic images. Many are forced to watch heterosexual pornography to induce or encourage attraction to the opposite sex. Extreme practices go as far as providing shock therapy or placing hot copper coils on client’s bodies. Most conversion therapy providers, however, say conversion therapy is talk therapy and they are simply providing a service. LGBT youth enter conversion therapy with the promise to be cured in “six weeks or less” and don’t leave for several years, only to still be gay. They leave feeling more confused and ashamed than when they began the process, suffering from increased depression, anxiety and self-hatred. I understand being gay or bisexual goes against many religious and faith-based belief systems. It is abusive and unacceptable, however, to demoralize and dehumanize LGBT youth because homosexuality makes some people uncomfortable or is viewed as a sin in the eyes of God. How is conversion therapy helping LGBT youths when the therapists they turn to for help are hurting them? Conversion therapy goes against the dictum of every helping profession: Do no harm. Doctors, nurses, teachers, therapists and social workers are ethically bound to report all instances of child abuse, yet licensed mental health practitioners are abusing the very people they have vowed to protect. After a comprehensive review of the literature on conversion therapy, the American Psychological Association concluded there is no scientific evidence it is effective in changing an individual’s sexual orientation. Despite the lack of evidence, many states across the nation still allow it. Only California, New Jersey, Florida and Washington, D.C., have laws banning conversion therapy practices on LGBT minors. Several states however, including Oregon, have bills in the current legislative session that would prohibit mental health practitioners from using conversion therapy on minors. Oregon House Bill 2307, known as the Youth Mental Health Protection Act, recently passed the Oregon House in a 41-18 vote, and has been referred to the Senate Human Services and Childhood Committee for a hearing. Religious and faith-based organizations believe HB 2307 is a violation of religious liberties. This is not true. HB 2307 is about stopping abusive therapies that have no scientific validity and cause more harm than good. Some mental health providers believe it is a violation of the First Amendment, as conversion therapy primarily involves talk therapy. According to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Oregon, conversion therapy prohibition laws do not violate the freedom of speech of counselors nor of clients. HB 2307 would not prohibit counselors from speaking with LGBT youth about their struggles with being gay. It would, however, prevent counselors from attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation during talk therapy sessions. The exact number of mental health providers practicing conversion therapy in Oregon is unknown. What is known is that 70 therapists across 20 states, including Oregon, are practicing conversion therapy. Every person has the basic human right to live in safety. In light of April being Child Abuse Prevention month, Oregonians need to stand up and protect all children from child abuse. One way to do this is to change policies that are unjust and harmful. I am by no means a political person, but as a mother, a daughter, a friend and an advocate, I feel it is my responsibility to bring light to this very important issue. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. Write your senators, congressmen and state legislators. Be that change. Let your voice be heard. Be the voice for those who are unable to speak up for themselves. Prevent child abuse and end conversion therapy. Mary Denney of Klamath Falls is pursuing a master's of social work degree at the University of Southern California.  By Mary Denny MailTribune.com By Mary Denny Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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