This comparison draws in part from “Applied Behavior Analysis and the LGBTQ+ Community: Historical Context and a Call to Action” by Daniel Conine, Ph.D., BCBA-D (BehaviorLive), and extends it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. The decision framework, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →Behavior analysts must make deliberate choices about how they approach LGBTQ+-related issues in their practice. Non-affirming practice, whether through active harm like conversion therapy or through passive neglect such as failing to use inclusive language, communicates that LGBTQ+ identities are problematic or irrelevant. LGBTQ+-affirming practice actively supports the well-being, dignity, and identity of LGBTQ+ clients and creates professional environments where LGBTQ+ individuals feel safe, respected, and valued. The BACB Ethics Code (2022) clearly supports an affirming approach through its principles of nondiscrimination, truthfulness, effective treatment, and client welfare. Understanding the differences between these orientations helps behavior analysts align their practice with both the evidence base and their ethical obligations.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment of LGBTQ+ Identity | Treats sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression as targets for change or as irrelevant to clinical practice | Recognizes LGBTQ+ identities as natural aspects of human diversity and actively affirms them in clinical interactions |
| Goal Selection | May include goals that reduce gender-nonconforming behavior or discourage same-sex attraction, explicitly or implicitly | Ensures no goals target LGBTQ+ identity-related behavior and reviews existing goals for inadvertent bias |
| Language and Documentation | Uses legal names and assumed pronouns without asking; documentation may contain heteronormative or cisnormative language | Asks about and uses preferred names and pronouns; documentation uses inclusive, affirming language |
| Environmental Design | Clinical environments do not specifically address LGBTQ+ inclusion or may contain materials reflecting only heterosexual or cisgender norms | Clinical environments include inclusive signage, diverse materials, and explicit nondiscrimination policies |
| Response to Family Requests | May comply with family requests to target gender expression or orientation without questioning the clinical appropriateness | Declines conversion-oriented requests, provides education about affirming approaches, and prioritizes client welfare |
| Historical Awareness | Limited or no awareness of ABA's role in conversion therapy and its impact on LGBTQ+ communities | Informed about the field's history and its ongoing implications, and takes active steps to address the legacy of harm |
| Professional Development | No specific training in LGBTQ+-affirming practices | Ongoing professional development in LGBTQ+-affirming approaches, consistent with Ethics Code requirements for cultural competence |
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.
Use this framework when approaching applied behavior analysis and the lgbtq+ community: historical context and a call to action in your practice:
Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?
YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor
A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.
YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first
Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.
YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making
This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.
Applied Behavior Analysis and the LGBTQ+ Community: Historical Context and a Call to Action — Daniel Conine · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20
Take This Course →1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20 · BehaviorLive
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.