President Obama calls for an end to 'conversion' therapy for gay, transgender youth

President Barack Obama. — (Image credit: Pool/Getty Images)

In response to a WhiteHouse.gov petition urging the banning of 'conversion' therapy for LGBTQ+ youth, the Obama Administration said it is calling for an end to the practice, adding that young people should be "valued for who they are, no matter what they look like, where they're from, the gender with which they identify, or who they love."

White House officials told The New York Times the president will support efforts to ban the practice at the state level. The petition was started in honor of Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teen who posted a suicide note to Tumblr and then died after walking out in front of a semi-truck. Alcorn, the petition says, was forced to attend conversion therapy by her family and was isolated from her friends at school. "Therapists that engage in the attempt to brainwash or reverse any child's gender identity or sexual orientation are seriously unethical and legislation is needed to end such practices that are resulting in LGBTQ+ deaths," the petition states.

In an official response, Valerie Jarrett, a senior advisor to Obama, wrote that "as part of our dedication to protecting America's youth, this administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors." There is "overwhelming scientific evidence" that demonstrates conversion therapy, especially when used on young people, "is neither medically nor ethically appropriate and can cause substantial harm," Jarrett said. She also noted the importance of family support for LGBTQ+ youth, saying, "Every child needs love, support, and acceptance to grow, dream, and thrive."

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.