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	US President Barack Obama has called for an end to psychiatric therapies that seek to change the sexual orientation of gay, lesbian and transgender youth, the White House said.</p>
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	The White House statement, written by senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, is in response to a petition calling for Mr Obama to back a law to ban conversion therapy.</p>
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	The therapy is supported by some socially conservative organisations and religious doctors.</p>
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	The petition was started following the death by suicide in December of transgender teenager Leelah Alcorn.</p>
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	Leelah, 17, died after her parents forced her to attend conversion therapy, pulled her out of school and isolated her in an attempt to change her gender identity.</p>
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	&quot;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,&quot; Ms Jarrett said.</p>
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	&quot;As part of our dedication to protecting America&#39;s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors,&quot; she said.</p>
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	<a href="http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0409/692959-barack-obama-conversion-therapy/">http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0409/692959-barack-obama-conversion-therapy/</a></p>
