It is with heavy hearts and incredulity that we make this statement on what is obvious: The laws and policies recently passed by our legislature, gutting care for transgender youth, and denying the dignity of being able to legally identify oneself, have measurable life-threatening consequences to an already marginalized community. What is evident in our practices is also well documented; that denying affirmative care and denying the validity of people’s humanity leads to long term and irreparable harm to both the individual and our society.

The hubris of believing that denying an individual’s rights, identities and dignity serves the greater good is the domain of fascist and totalitarian regimes, not the free and loving society we have built in this state and in our nation. These recent anti-humanitarian laws in Utah and nationwide, and those who vote to support them will find themselves on the wrong side of science, and more important to their legacy, the wrong side of history.

We are moved to speak.

Sincerely, the Leadership Collective of the LGBTQ Affirmative Therapist Guild of Utah

Abby Crouse, LCMHC; Jared Klundt, PhD; Colette Dalton, LCSW; Colleen Kuhn, PhD; Kara Posner, LCMHC; Ken Roach, LCMHC; Jess Shade, LCMHC; Robin Tracy, LCMHC

What can you do?

Contact your legislators here:

Find Your Representative

Get Informed:
Medical professional organizations have already done splendid work in producing great research and supporting documentation. There is a lot below, read what you can of the following. We’ve pulled out a few good phrases from many. We highly recommend the NASW Open Letter to LGBTQIA2S+ Kids.

In alphabetical order of association:

American Academy of Nursing

“... reparative therapies aimed at “curing” or changing same-sex orientation to heterosexual orientation are pseudoscientific, ineffective, unethical, abusive and harmful practices that pose serious threats to the dignity, autonomy and human rights as well as to the physical and mental health of individuals exposed to them.” Read Full Statement

“The American Nurses Association strongly opposes any legislation or policy action that places restrictions on transgender health care and that criminalizes gender-affirming care” Read Full Statement

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

“AAMFT has stated unambiguously that conversion and reparative therapy is a dangerous practice that has no basis in science. AAMFT expects its members to practice based on the best research and clinical evidence available.” Read Full Statement

“We know, from the existing body of literature, family support is a protective factor for trans, nonbinary and gender expansive youth. Family support leads to lower suicidality, and levels of depression and anxiety similar to the general youth population. As family therapists, our role in ensuring that families understand and support their children is essential” - from the AAMFT Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation Read Full Statement

American Counseling Association

“...reparative therapy/conversion therapy/SOCE has been shown to be ineffectual... reparative therapy/conversion therapy/SOCE has been shown to cause harm... reparative therapy/conversion therapy/SOCE has been found to violate consumer fraud-protection law” Read Full Statement

“As helping professionals, we have an ethical obligation to support members of this community, as well as their caregivers and loved ones, and to advocate for dissolution of oppressive policies and legislation... Despite over a decade of research and clear medical guidance supporting the efficacy of affirming social and medical interventions, several state and local governments across the United States have initiated anti-TGE legislation” -Supporting transgender and gender-expansive youth Read More

American Medical Association

“LGBTQ young adults are more than twice as likely to report a history of suicide attempts in comparison to their heterosexual peers” -referencing CDC study Read More

AMA to states: Stop interfering in health care of transgender children Read More

American Mental Health Counselors Association

“There is virtually no credible evidence that any type of psychotherapy can change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and, in fact, these efforts pose critical health risks to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, including depression, shame, decreased self-esteem, social withdrawal, substance abuse, risky behavior, and suicidality.” Read More

American Psychiatry Association

“APA reaffirms its recommendation that ethical practitioners refrain from attempts to change individuals’ sexual orientation. APA recommends that ethical practitioners respect the identities for those with diverse gender expressions. APA encourages sychotherapies which affirm individuals’ sexual orientations and gender identities. APA encourages legislation which would prohibit the practice of “reparative” or conversion therapies that are based on the a priori assumption that diverse sexual orientations and gender identities are mentally ill.” Read More

“Position Statement on Discrimination Against Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals ...Opposes all public and private discrimination against transgender and gender diverse individuals in such areas as health care, employment, housing, public accommodation, education, and licensing” Read More

American Psychological Association

“Change efforts are harmful during adolescence, and can increase suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and depression in young adulthood. Involvement of mental health or religious providers in change efforts is related to even more depression and suicidality.” Read More

“According to a survey by the Trevor Project of over 40,000 LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 24, over 60% of trans and nonbinary youth reported engaging in self-harm and 52% had seriously considered suicide in the past year. This is compared with 48% of cisgender lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth who reported engaging in self-harm, and 34% who have considered suicide—all of which are far above national averages.” Read More

National Association of Social Workers

“We write this letter to LGBTQIA2S+ kids and youth to express deep gratitude that you exist, because our world would be incomplete without you. We honor the richness of your authenticity and openly proclaim that you are perfect exactly as you are. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Read More

“NASW condemns the use of SOCE or so-called reparative therapy by any person identifying as a social worker or any agency that identifies as providing social work services. Public dollars should not be spent on programs that support SOCE” (NASW, 2014). Read More

NASW Condemns Efforts to Redefine Child Abuse to Include Gender-Affirming Care Read More

NASW joins groups to urge states to reject legislation that discriminates against transgender youth Read More