Youth's Lives Every Day
LGBTQ+ youth subjected to conversion practices were more than twice as likely to attempt suicide in the past year.
October 7, 2025 – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States hears oral arguments for Chiles v. Salazar – a case that centers on a Colorado state law that prohibits licensed mental health professionals from subjecting youth to dangerous, discredited practices that attempt to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Trevor Project’s CEO, Jaymes Black, released the following statement in response:
“It is unimaginable to see fringe practices that have been debunked, discredited, and known to cause harm for decades now being debated before our country’s highest court. Therapists can – and do – help young people navigate and understand their identity, but they should not be allowed to pressure youth toward a specific outcome, such as changing their sexual orientation or gender. These efforts, no matter what proponents call them, are proven to cause lasting psychological harm; LGBTQ+ youth subjected to conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers.
“While many people believe these practices are a relic of the past, they are sadly still harming young Americans in communities all across the U.S. today. I strongly urge the justices to uphold Colorado’s law, which was based on decades of evidence and medical consensus, and continue to allow more than 20 states across the country to protect children from these dangerous practices. To every LGBTQ+ young person navigating yet another difficult news cycle: Please know that you are not alone. There’s an entire community actively working to protect and support you, no matter the headlines. You are valid and worthy of love and respect, exactly as you are.”
Related research:
- Conversion therapy is associated with an extensive list of long-lasting social and emotional consequences, including: depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance abuse, a range of post-traumatic responses, loss of connection to community, damaged familial relationships, self-blame, guilt, and shame.
- The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ young people found that 13% of LGBTQ+ young people have been threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy.
- Research shows that LGBTQ+ youth who experienced conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide and more than 2.5 times as likely to report multiple suicide attempts in the past year.
- Conversion therapy and its associated harms – such as substance abuse and negative mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts – cost an estimated $9.23 billion in the U.S. annually.
- The Trevor Project released a report in December 2023 that identified more than 1,300 active conversion therapy practitioners across the U.S.
- Every major medical and mental health association in the United States has condemned conversion therapy, including The American Psychiatric Association, The American Psychological Association, and The American Medical Association.
- Most Americans reject conversion therapy, and support efforts to protect LGBTQ+ youth from its harms. 2025 polling data found that a majority of adults in the United States (56%) think conversion therapy should be illegal to use on minors.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.
