By Michael Nam
In the same week the executive order for protecting federal employees and contractors from discrimination went into effect, the Obama Administration continues to make progress on LGBT issues with an announcement taking on the harmful practice of ‘conversion’ or ‘reparative’ therapy.
“The overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that conversion therapy, especially when it is practiced on young people, is neither medically nor ethically appropriate and can cause substantial harm,” wrote Valerie Jarrett, a senior advisor to the president, in response to the White House petition calling for the ban. “As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.”
