U.S. Surgeon General Opposes Conversion Therapy
Just two days after the Obama administration formally announced that it supports efforts to end the discredited practice known as "conversion therapy" — which tries to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity — the nation's top doctor weighed in on the practice.
"As America’s Doctor, my job is to help raise awareness about sound medical practices and the steps we can take together to improve America’s health," said U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy today during a town hall discussion on Tumblr. "Conversion therapy is not sound medical practice. Moreover, we all need to work together to build greater understanding and acceptance throughout our society. Doctors can and should be part of that effort."
Murthy's comments come less than 48 hours after the White House formally responded to a petition calling for a nationwide ban on such "therapy," which has been denounced as ineffective and harmful by every major medical and psychiatric organization in the country.
"We share your concern about [this practice's] potentially devastating effects on the lives of transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer youth," wrote senior Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett in the White House's formal response to the petition, which sought to create "Leelah's Law," and garnered more than 120,000 signatures on the government's We the People petition site.
http://www.advocate.com/ex-gay-therapy/2015/04/10/watch-us-surgeon-general-opposes-conversion-therapy
= new reply since forum marked as read
"As America’s Doctor, my job is to help raise awareness about sound medical practices and the steps we can take together to improve America’s health," said U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy today during a town hall discussion on Tumblr. "Conversion therapy is not sound medical practice. Moreover, we all need to work together to build greater understanding and acceptance throughout our society. Doctors can and should be part of that effort."
Mahalo William
Thankfully normal people recognize the surgeon general as the final authority on health. Very huge step in stopping cult style torture, needed to be done a long time ago. Thank you for it being now and not later.
