When Leelah Alcorn stepped in front of a semi and ended her life, she was desperate. Since then, thousands of supporters have refused to let her memory be lost.
Leelah Alcorn left a suicide note that told how she was not allowed to see a therapist that would help her the way she wanted.
“My mom started taking me to a therapist, but would only take me to christian therapists, (who were all very biased) so I never actually got the therapy I needed to cure me of my depression. I only got more christians telling me that I was selfish and wrong and that I should look to God for help.”
Some have pointed out that this was a process known as “conversion therapy,” where a therapist tries to convince a patient that they are not gay or transgender.
But others object that Leelah Alcorn did not specifically address conversion therapy. But her other posts did.
“I wanted to see a gender therapist but they wouldn’t let me, they thought it would corrupt my mind. The would only let me see biased Christian therapists, who instead of listening to my feelings would try to change me into a straight male who loved God, and I would cry after every session because I felt like it was hopeless and there was no way I would ever become a girl.”
After Leelah’s death, petitions were started requesting President Obama to introduce legislation banning conversion therapy for minors. Recently The White House responded.
“We share your concern about its potentially devastating effects on the lives of transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer youth.”
The overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that conversion therapy, especially when it is practiced on young people, is neither medically nor ethically appropriate and can cause substantial harm.
“As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.”