The Harms of Sexual and Gender Identity and Expression Change Efforts—So Called Conversion “Therapies”

Co-Hosted with the Society of Science in Clinical Psychology, Section 3 of SCP

Presenters:  Drs. David Rivera, Briana Last, Melissa Grey

Overview:         

Sexual orientation and gender identity and expression change efforts (SOGIECE)—so called “conversion therapies”—are a heterogenous set of practices that seek to change people’s desires, behaviors, and identities to conform with heterosexual and cisgender norms (APA, 2021a; APA, 2021b). SOGIECE lead to serious harm to those who undergo them and to society more broadly (Campbell & van der Meulen Rodgers, 2023; Forsythe et al., 2022; Ryan et al., 2018; Shidlo & Schroeder, 2002; Turban et al., 2020). Given the scientific evidence demonstrating these harms, every major professional medical and mental health association in the U.S. opposes SOGIECE. Some professional organizations have partnered with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to legally prohibit SOGIECE, particularly for minors. Despite these advocacy efforts, some judges and legislators have recently sought to undermine or eliminate entirely even these limited bans on SOGIECE. A growing number of states have also recently licensed SOGIECE by banning or criminalizing gender affirming care—forcibly detransitioning trans and gender nonconforming people. In this webinar, we will discuss the harms associated with SOGIECE and the shifting policy landscape that has placed LGBTQ+ individuals under threat, as well as the ethical and advocacy obligations of mental health practitioners and researchers.

Learning Objectives: intermediate to advanced, builds on doctoral-level work in psychology

1. Describe sexual and gender identity and expression change efforts (SOGIECE)—so called conversion “therapies”—and their harmful effects and related ethical issues.
3. Evaluate how the science demonstrating SOGIECE’s harms is being distorted and misused by SOGIECE advocates and practitioners.
5. Analyze current policy disputes over SOGIECE and gender affirming care bans and articulate these disputes’ implications for the well-being of sexual and gender minorities.

CE Credits Available: 1.25

Attendees must attend the entirety of the program and complete the Evaluation sent after the program.  Evaluations will be sent via email shortly after the Live webinar.  CE Certificates will be processed and emailed within 5 – 10 business days from Live Webinar.

Cost: FREE