[Note: in addition to gays/lesbians, conversion therapy has also been forced on autistic children/youth in the form of “Applied Behavioral Analysis” therapy, a.k.a. ABA.]
Re-blogging an excerpt from one of the LGBTQIA+ organizations here in Colorado:
“This administration is continuing to use harmful rhetoric to stoke fear, chaos, and division within our communities. The recent HHS report is just another in a long line of tactics being used to further target our trans community. In the face of this we must stand firm in the truth that our trans community has and will always exist. We must recognize the narratives being spun about our trans community are not new, but simply being rebranded from the movement that tried to “cure homosexuality.”
This report is nothing more than a PR stunt for rebranded conversion therapy. The American Academy of Pediatrics has consistently opposed conversion therapy and affirmed that gender-affirming care is safe, effective, and medically necessary. In their policy statement, they emphasize that “ensuring comprehensive, gender-affirming, and developmentally appropriate health care for all children and adolescents is a critical part of pediatric care. You can read AAP’s statement HERE.
The Trump Administration is trying to push the same dangerous, discredited conversion therapy agenda that fringe therapists have been pushing on gay youth for decades. They tried to shame gay kids into hating themselves and rejecting who they are, and now the federal government wants to do the same thing to transgender young people.Similar to being gay or lesbian, no amount of pressure or talk, including conversion practices, can make a transgender person not transgender. Trying to do so leads to distress, and—too often—lasting harm.
Just like being gay, being transgender is not a choice. It’s rooted in biology and genetics. No amount of pressure or persuasion can change biology and pretending otherwise is false and increases stigma and stereotypes and has historically been used to shame LGBTQIA+ people into conforming.Trans folx are not a fad, we have always existed and nothing will change that.
The biggest takeaway from the HHS report comes from the Trump Administrations own summary: “[The Review] is not a clinical practice guideline, and it does not issue legislative or policy recommendations.”
We know this report is being used to spark fear, but we also know that our community is strong, resilient, and filled with love. ”
The Little Prince and the Fox 