I am the mother of one Transgender young adult and one gay young adult.  Our family has personally navigated the often challenging process of learning about and coming to accept our children as they find their authentic identities -- identities that challenge our expectations and assumptions.   We know this process is difficult for families and we took the time to educate ourselves broadly.  We know that there is no accredited, established, scientifically supported medical or psychological rationale for conversion "therapies."  These "therapies" are essentially coercive tactics that expose already vulnerable young people to stresses and pressures that can have severe detrimental impacts on their physical and mental well-being.  The state has a duty to protect minors from harm.  The scientific consensus on conversion "therapy" is clear.   Please ban it in Virginia. Thank you.

https://whatweknow.inequality.cornell.edu/topics/lgbt-equality/what-does-the-scholarly-research-say-about-whether-conversion-therapy-can-alter-sexual-orientation-without-causing-harm/

https://cdn.ymaws.com/ohpsych.org/resource/resmgr/files/about/LGBT_Sub_Com/Conversion_Therapy_handout_1.pdf

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Policy_Statements/2018/Conversion_Therapy.aspx

This article from the HRC links to statements from all leading professional mental health organizations with their statements opposing the use of conversion therapies: https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy