Conversion therapy is a harmful, unscientific, and debunked practice that attempts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Every major professional health organization rejects conversion therapy because of the physical and mental health harm it causes. Conversion therapy is proven to lead toward higher instances of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicide.
Yet some mental health providers continue to practice in ways that put LGBT youth at risk. In fact, The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law estimates that 20,000 LGBT children in the US will be harmed by conversion therapy before age 18 by a licensed healthcare provider. Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is leading the effort to ensure that LGBT youth in the Lehigh Valley are safe from conversion therapy because we know that LGBT youth are fine, just the way they are!
Allentown Ordinance
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center proposed, and worked diligently toward passage of, the Appropriate Mental Health Services Ordinance, which was signed into law on July 20, 2017 after unanimous approval by the City Council.
The ordinance protects LGBT youth from harmful conversion therapy by preventing licensed mental health professional in the city from providing it. This model ordinance for third class cities was drafted with legal support from National Center for Lesbian Rights and Jerner & Palmer P.C and was endorsed by KidsPeace Hospital and PA Psychiatric Society.
Bethlehem Ordinance
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center proposed, and worked diligently toward passage of, the Appropriate Mental Health Services Ordinance, which was unanimously approved by the City Council on July 18th, 2018. The ordinance was endorsed by KidsPeace Hospital, Valley Youth House, and Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley.
Reading Ordinance
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, in partnership with the LGBT Community Center of Greater Reading, proposed, and worked diligently toward passage of, the Appropriate Mental Health Services Ordinance, which was signed into law on December 21, 2017 after unanimous approval by the City Council.
In Pennsylvania, Conversion Therapy is also banned in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Doylestown Borough, State College, Yardley, Bellefonte, Newtown Township, Erie County, and Allegheny County.
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