Just the Facts Highlights Dangers of "Reparative Therapy"

Feb 12, 2007

DOWNLOAD THE 13-PAGE RESOURCE JUST THE FACTS.

In 1999, GLSEN created the resource, JUST THE FACTS, which was immediately endorsed by a consortium of national organizations including the American Psychological Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, among others.

There is renewed interest in this resource following a New York Times article (Gay Teenager Stirs a Storm, July 17, 2005) chronicling the dangerous experience of a young gay student in Memphis at a so-called reparative therapy center inaccurately named “Love In Action”. As former teacher and GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings told the New York Times, “All reputable health and education professional organizations have clearly and unequivocally denounced this ‘treatment’ as quackery. Attempts to change young people’s sexual orientation through ‘reparative therapy’ have raised serious questions about its potential to do harm.”

Originally created for educators, JUST THE FACTS remains an invaluable resource for all those concerned about the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, as well as their heterosexual peers and allies.

From the introduction to JUST THE FACTS:

"As principals, educators, and school personnel, you need good information.

The reason for publishing this fact sheet now is the recent upsurge in aggressive promotion of 'reparative therapy' and 'transformational ministry'. 'Reparative therapy' refers to psychotherapy to eliminate an individual’s attractions to members of their own gender. 'Transformational ministry' refers to the use of religion to eliminate those desires. Since 1998, a number of organizations have invested significant resources in the promotion of 'reparative therapy' and 'transformational ministry' in the press, in conferences targeting educators, and in television and newspaper ads.

This fact sheet provides information from physicians, counselors, social workers, psychologists, legal experts, and educators who are knowledgeable about the development of sexual orientation in youth and the issues raised by 'reparative therapy' and 'transformational ministry.' We hope that you and others who care about and work with youth will review the factual and scientific information provided herein and weigh it carefully."