Why are LGBTQ people still being subjected to conversion therapy?

It is well documented that there’s no such thing as Conversion Therapy.

Any process that purports to be able to change someone’s sexuality from one thing to another is emotional and psychological abuse dressed up in the language of therapy, counselling, and religion.

Any attempt at ‘conversion’ of sexuality is particularly damaging for young people.

The practice described as Conversion Therapy has been banned in a number of countries around the world, but an alarming number of queer people are still subjected to this form of abuse.

What is conversion therapy?

Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions.

Historically, the techniques used in conversion therapy have been horrific – lobotomies, chemical castration, electro-shock aversion treatment.

Today, organisations offering conversion therapy are generally suggesting counselling, visualisation, social skills training, psychoanalytic therapy, and spiritual interventions such as prayer and group support.

There isn’t any form of conversion therapy that can change someone’s sexuality. It’s based on the false premise that a sexuality that is not heterosexual is somehow deficient or abnormal.

Which countries have banned conversion therapy?

It's difficult to get a clear reading on the total number of countries that have banned conversion therapy as it's difficult to compare different legal systems and some countries have partial ban, or may have bans in place at the state level.

The Equaldex resource platform currently puts the number at 26 countries that have banned conversion therapy.

These are:

• Singapore
• Taiwan
• Vietnam
• Israel
• Albania
• Belgium
• Cyprus
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Iceland
• Malta
• Norway
• Portugal
• Spain
• Canada
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Samoa
• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Ecuador
• Paraguya
• Peru
• Uruguay

What's happening with conversion therapy in the UK?

Successive governments in the UK have made commitments to implementing a ban on conversion therapy, but the required legislation has not yet been introduced.

The current Labor government has included a ban on conversion therapy in its legislative agenda for 2025, so there is some hope that will progress will finally be made as they have the voting majority required in order to implement the ban.

How can I help to ban conversion therapy?

• Find out what the law is where you are.
• Search for community organisations that are advocating for bans on conversion therapy.
• Add your voice and your resources to campaigns to ban conversion therapy – both at a local and a global level.

We need action, not excuses and delays.

We need to protect queer kids.