Kentucky Youth Law Project, Inc.
A nonprofit legal services corporation providing no-fee legal assistance and advocacy for Kentucky's LGBTQ+ Youth.
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KYLP Legal Director Addresses
"Legal Advocacy for Transgender Children and Youth"
In Fayette County Bar Association Program
Advocating for the legal rights of transgender children and youth is a challenge. LGBTQ+ children and youth often face families, schools and communities that are not accepting of their gender identity or sexual orientation, and some end up running away from—or are being thrown out by—their birth families. For the attorney who is representing a transgender child or adolescent, having a solid understanding of the experiences our clients have had—with discrimination, harassment, bullying, teasing, family and community rejection—is essential to a zealous advocacy for our clients.
In this 53-minute presentation, I will talk about some of the terminology that you should know, how cisgender privilege impacts our relationships with trans people, what happens during transition, the dangers of gender dysphoria, and how we, as attorneys can best represent our transgender youth clients.
In this 53-minute presentation, I will talk about some of the terminology that you should know, how cisgender privilege impacts our relationships with trans people, what happens during transition, the dangers of gender dysphoria, and how we, as attorneys can best represent our transgender youth clients.
BREAKING NEWS
KYLP, Born Perfect File Complaint with the Kentucky Board of
Social Work against Kentucky Therapist for Subjecting Minor to
So-Called Conversion Therapy
FRANKFORT, KY -- The Kentucky Youth Law Project, Inc. (KYLP) and Born Perfect, a project of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), filed a complaint with the Kentucky Board of Social Work on behalf of our client, Curtis Galloway, against Joseph A. Williams, a licensed clinical social worker based in Mayfield, Kentucky. The complaint alleges that Williams subjected Galloway to the unethical and discredited practice of conversion therapy when Galloway was a minor, causing Galloway to experience serious and lasting harm.
The complaint also alleges that Williams falsely informed Galloway's parents that being gay is a disorder and can be changed through counseling services, which Williams offered and subsequently provided.
By engaging in this practice, the complaint asserts, Williams violated numerous professional and ethical standards and should be investigated and disciplined by the Kentucky Board of Social Work.
"Born Perfect is proud to file this complaint in support of Curtis Galloway so that his former therapist will no longer be able to prey on vulnerable youth and their families," said Born Perfect co-founder Mathew Shurka. "Conversion therapy is reckless and harmful and licensed clinicians who engage in it must be held accountable for the damage they cause."
"I am filing this complaint to hold Mr. Williams accountable and to ensure that no other person experiences the guild and shame that people like him inflict on their patients," said Curtis Galloway.
The notion that being gay or lesbian is a mental illness or disorder that may be treated or cured through psychotherapy has no scientific support and has been soundly rejected by the medical and mental health community. Subjecting patients to conversion therapy is extremely dangerous and puts them at risk of serious harms, including depression, loss of self-esteem, and dramatically increased rates of suicidality.
"LGBTQ+ kids should be supported by the adults in their lives -- not pathologized and subjected to dangerous, fake therapy. KYLP stands with Curtis and with all conversion therapy survivors," said Keith D. Elston, Kentucky Youth Law Project Legal Director.
Medical science now uniformly agrees that same-sex sexual orientation is part of the normal spectrum of human diversity, and in no way constitutes a mental defect or pathology. In its landmark marriage equality ruling, Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court noted that "psychiatrists and others [have] recognized that sexual orientation is both a normal expression of human sexuality, and immutable."
The complaint asks the KBSW to investigate Mr. Williams for subjecting his patients to conversion therapy and impose appropriate sanctions to prevent Williams from subjecting other patients to this dangerous practice either now or in the future.
Social Work against Kentucky Therapist for Subjecting Minor to
So-Called Conversion Therapy
FRANKFORT, KY -- The Kentucky Youth Law Project, Inc. (KYLP) and Born Perfect, a project of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), filed a complaint with the Kentucky Board of Social Work on behalf of our client, Curtis Galloway, against Joseph A. Williams, a licensed clinical social worker based in Mayfield, Kentucky. The complaint alleges that Williams subjected Galloway to the unethical and discredited practice of conversion therapy when Galloway was a minor, causing Galloway to experience serious and lasting harm.
The complaint also alleges that Williams falsely informed Galloway's parents that being gay is a disorder and can be changed through counseling services, which Williams offered and subsequently provided.
By engaging in this practice, the complaint asserts, Williams violated numerous professional and ethical standards and should be investigated and disciplined by the Kentucky Board of Social Work.
"Born Perfect is proud to file this complaint in support of Curtis Galloway so that his former therapist will no longer be able to prey on vulnerable youth and their families," said Born Perfect co-founder Mathew Shurka. "Conversion therapy is reckless and harmful and licensed clinicians who engage in it must be held accountable for the damage they cause."
"I am filing this complaint to hold Mr. Williams accountable and to ensure that no other person experiences the guild and shame that people like him inflict on their patients," said Curtis Galloway.
The notion that being gay or lesbian is a mental illness or disorder that may be treated or cured through psychotherapy has no scientific support and has been soundly rejected by the medical and mental health community. Subjecting patients to conversion therapy is extremely dangerous and puts them at risk of serious harms, including depression, loss of self-esteem, and dramatically increased rates of suicidality.
"LGBTQ+ kids should be supported by the adults in their lives -- not pathologized and subjected to dangerous, fake therapy. KYLP stands with Curtis and with all conversion therapy survivors," said Keith D. Elston, Kentucky Youth Law Project Legal Director.
Medical science now uniformly agrees that same-sex sexual orientation is part of the normal spectrum of human diversity, and in no way constitutes a mental defect or pathology. In its landmark marriage equality ruling, Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court noted that "psychiatrists and others [have] recognized that sexual orientation is both a normal expression of human sexuality, and immutable."
The complaint asks the KBSW to investigate Mr. Williams for subjecting his patients to conversion therapy and impose appropriate sanctions to prevent Williams from subjecting other patients to this dangerous practice either now or in the future.
A Note from our Legal Director,
Keith D. Elston: Welcome to the Kentucky Youth Law Project's official website! KYLP was founded in March 2014 to advocate for the legal needs of Kentucky's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning, intersex, gender fluid, and gender non-conforming (LGBTQ+) youth. 
KYLP Legal Director Keith Elston and his son, Nick, tabling at Capital Pride 2019 in Frankfort, Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 12.
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Remember KYLP in your Estate Planning
Do you want to look stylish while supporting the Kentucky Youth Law Project's legal advocacy for LGBTQ+ chidlren and youth under age 25? KYLP is now selling T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies in various colors and sizes. Get your's today!!
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OUR MISSION
The mission of the Kentucky Youth Law Project, Inc. is to enhance and protect the legal rights and entitlements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, gender fluid, and gender non-conforming (LGBTQ+) youth through free legal representation, education, and public policy advocacy. Because up to 40% of all homeless youth self-identify as LGBTQ+, our goal is to reduce homelessness and promote equal treatment for LGBTQI+ youth in social welfare agencies, government services, the Courts, and public schools through the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Founder and Legal Director Keith D. Elston serves on the Kentucky Bar Association's (KBA) Committee on Child Protection and Domestic Violence and is Chair of the KBA LGBT Law Section. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the National LGBT Bar Association, and is a vetted member of the NLGBT Bar Association's Family Law Institute and the Transgender Law Institute. He has made numerous professional presentations to Kentucky lawyers, judges, social workers, and educators on LGBTQ+ youth issues, and has represented hundreds of LGBTQ+ clients.
Mr. Elston sees clients and potential clients by appointment only. If you are an LGBTQ+ youth age 25 and under, or are the parent or guardian of an LGBTQ+ youth, and you would like to consult with us regarding an issue related to your (or your child's) sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, please fill out and submit the contact request, above.
Founder and Legal Director Keith D. Elston serves on the Kentucky Bar Association's (KBA) Committee on Child Protection and Domestic Violence and is Chair of the KBA LGBT Law Section. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the National LGBT Bar Association, and is a vetted member of the NLGBT Bar Association's Family Law Institute and the Transgender Law Institute. He has made numerous professional presentations to Kentucky lawyers, judges, social workers, and educators on LGBTQ+ youth issues, and has represented hundreds of LGBTQ+ clients.
Mr. Elston sees clients and potential clients by appointment only. If you are an LGBTQ+ youth age 25 and under, or are the parent or guardian of an LGBTQ+ youth, and you would like to consult with us regarding an issue related to your (or your child's) sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, please fill out and submit the contact request, above.
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Copyright 2021. Kentucky Youth Law Project, Inc.
Post Office Box 21964, Lexington, Kentucky 40522-1964
Post Office Box 21964, Lexington, Kentucky 40522-1964