Equality Illinois – Today, a coalition of mental health, legal, LGBTQ+ and survivor-advocacy organizations released the Illinois Guide for Survivors of Conversion Practices. This new resource provides Illinois residents who have been subjected to harmful practices known as ‘conversion therapy’ with guidance on reporting harmful practitioners, a comprehensive understanding of their individual rights, and options for pursuing civil and/or professional accountability action.
Conversion therapy practices are dangerous, discredited efforts that attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Every major medical and mental health association in the U.S. (Including The American Psychiatric Association, The American Psychological Association, and The American Medical Association) has condemned these practices, citing links to increased depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts.
Illinois state law has prohibited conversion practices for nearly a decade. However, ongoing federal government efforts to promote these harmful practices, coupled with new research that indicates a ‘conversion therapy’ resurgence in the United States, have created concern. This new guide is designed to help survivors, attorneys, and medical and mental health care providers use existing state law to hold practitioners accountable, and support the health and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals living in Illinois.
The guide makes clear that mental health care providers can help young people explore their identity, however, they cannot pressure them toward a specific outcome, such as changing their sexual orientation or gender identity. These practices are explicitly prohibited under current Illinois state law.
The full guide is available here.
Kyle Hillman, Legislative Director atNASW-IL:“NASW-Illinois fought to ban conversion therapy because social workers know firsthand the devastating harm these practices inflict. But legal protection is only the first step. This guide provides attorneys and mental health professionals with practical strategies to support survivors through reporting and healing, ensuring that those who violate Illinois law face real consequences while survivors receive trauma-informed and affirming care.”
Casey Pick, Senior Director of Law & Policy atThe Trevor Project: “Right now, it is imperative that we protect LGBTQ+ young people from the dangerous, discredited practices known as conversion ‘therapy.’ Research shows that those subjected to these practices were more than twice as likely to attempt suicide in the past year. Despite the well-documented harms, these practices remain active in far too many communities, hurting children and tearing families apart. We are grateful for all the people and parties involved in creating this guide that will help protect the health, well-being, and safety of LGBTQ+ youth all across Illinois.”
Skip Harsch, Director atAmerican Bar Association’s SOGI Commission: “The American Bar Association’s Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity commends the release of the Illinois Guide for Survivors of Conversion Practices, which provides critical pathways for justice and accountability. These discredited practices inflict profound legal and psychological harm on LGBTQ+ individuals, and this guide is a vital resource for survivors, attorneys, and mental health professionals seeking to uphold the rule of law and protect vulnerable populations.”
Shannon Minter, Vice President of Legal at National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR): NCLR has long represented survivors of conversion therapy seeking legal protection and redress from the harms caused by these dangerous and unethical practices. Anyone considering their options should contact our legal helpline at nclrights.org/get-help/ for resources and information.