U.S. GOVERNMENT SAYS CONVERSION THERAPY "HAS TO STOP"

(Photo: America Aljazeera)

A U.S. government report was released on Thursday citing that subjecting LGBT children to conversion therapy is a dangerous practice and must be stopped.

A petition to ban the pratice nationwide was backed by the Obama administration.

"We believe that conversion therapy for young people is not in their best interest, and the facts and the evidence supports that," said White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett. "We would support, and have supported, making it illegal for young people."

The therapy is aimed at changing the sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression of "confused" children and is often conducted by unlicensed practitioners with religious training as opposed to medical training.

According to the American Psychological Association, conversion therapy can trigger depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. It can also damage self-esteem and lead to substance abuse and risky sexual behaviour.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/15/us-health-lgbt-conversion-idUSKCN0S912520151015