Rep. Jackie Speier Demands FTC Investigate 'Ex-Gay' TherapistsThe congresswoman calls on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate mental health providers' claims that they can change sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
http://www.advocate.com/ex-gay-therapy/2015/05/15/rep-jackie-speier-demands-ftc-investigate-ex-gay-therapistsOn
Advocate.comBY Dawn Ennis
May 15 2015 5:53 PM ET
"U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier is calling for a federal investigation of therapists who administer so-called conversion therapy.
The Northern California Democrat sent a letter Wednesday to the Federal Trade Commission demanding a probe of mental health providers and what she sees as deceptive claims that they can change an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression."-------------------------------------------------------
It seems only reasonable that if someone advertises that they can do something, they ought to be able to show they can do it. As far as I am aware conversion therapy hasn't worked, doesn't work and people engaging in this practice are using deceptive advertising, saying they can change someone's gender identity or sexual orientation. Many of the practitioners of this "therapy" are often times religious groups, not licensed therapists. They hold out hope for susceptible parents or spouses that their loved ones can be changed. The fact is, those who undergo such therapies are often at risk for higher rates of depression and/or suicide. Facing rejection from loved ones if they don't change is often the impetus of adults to undergo this "therapy" and when it fails, families often reject the person anyway because of their gender or sexual orientation.
Put up or shut up seems like a reasonable request. I'd like to see these therapists prove their claims, otherwise to me, they are falsely advertising. Traci
