# Urn **Covers**:: **Source**:: **Creator**:: # Highlights ##### ^241992953 Q:: How long has the APA oppsed conversion therapy? A:: Since 1998 ###### ^241992953q Since 1998, the American Psychiatric Association has opposed any psychiatric treatment, such as "reparative" or conversion therapy, which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or that a patient should change his/her homosexual orientation ^241992953 ##### ^241992954 ###### ^241992954q POSITION: 1. APA reaffirms its recommendation that ethical practitioners refrain from attempts to change individuals’ sexual orientation. 2. APA recommends that ethical practitioners respect the identities for those with diverse gender expressions. ^241992954 ##### ^241992955 ###### ^241992955q 3. APA encourages psychotherapies which affirm individuals’ sexual orientations and gender identities. 4. APA encourages legislation which would prohibit the practice of “reparative” or conversion therapies that are based on the a priori assumption that diverse sexual orientations and gender identities are mentally ill. ^241992955