Conversion therapy, a practice with the misguided aim of changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, has been widely discredited. Despite its long-standing presence, it is now recognized as both ineffective and harmful.
The Harmful Effects of Conversion Therapy
Conversion therapy employs various methods, all of which can lead to severe psychological distress. Studies consistently show that individuals who undergo conversion therapy are at an increased risk for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior. In the United States, an estimated 508,892 LGBTQIA+ youth were at risk of being subjected to conversion therapy last year. The direct cost of conversion therapy annually is estimated at $650 million. However, the more significant concern lies in the estimated annual cost of associated harms, including substance abuse and negative mental health outcomes, which amounts to a staggering $8.58 billion.
The Scientific and Medical Stance Against Conversion Therapy
Medical and scientific authorities have unanimously rejected conversion therapy. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and other health organizations assert that there is no credible evidence supporting the idea that any mental health intervention can reliably and safely change sexual orientation. From a mental health perspective, sexual orientation does not need to be changed. Unfortunately, almost 700,000 LGBTQIA+ adults have undergone conversion therapy at some point in their lives, with many of them being adolescents when subjected to these harmful practices.
Putting It into Perspective
Imagine a stadium filled with 700,000 people, each representing an LGBTQIA+ adult who has endured conversion therapy. Picture their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and struggles. Now, consider that many of them were adolescents when subjected to these damaging practices.
Next, let’s discuss the economic impact. The estimated annual cost of conversion therapy-related harms—such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior—is equivalent to building eight brand-new hospitals, funding scholarships for thousands of students, or providing critical mental health services to those in need.
Legal and Advocacy Efforts to End Conversion Therapy
The legal landscape is changing, with 26 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and more than 100 municipalities, having banned conversion therapy. These bans aim to protect minors from harmful and pseudoscientific attempts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, the District of Columbia is the only jurisdiction where the ban also applies to adults.
Explore the interactive map below to learn about Conversion Therapy Laws across different states. Click on specific regions for detailed information, and feel free to interact within the embedded window. Additionally, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) offers other valuable resources related to LGBTQIA+ equality, populations, and more. You can explore topics such as LGBTQIA+ populations, state equality snapshots, and transgender equality efforts.
The Prevalence and Impact of Conversion Therapy
Prevalence in the United States According to The Trevor Project’s survey, nearly 700,000 individuals in the United States have experienced conversion therapy. Approximately half of these cases occurred during adolescence. This alarming number underscores the widespread nature of this harmful practice, despite increased awareness of its detrimental effects and ongoing legislative efforts to address it.
LGBTQIA+ Youth at Risk A survey conducted by The Trevor Project reveals that 5% of LGBTQIA+ youth report having been subjected to conversion therapy, and an additional 10% were threatened with it. This data underscores the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth and emphasizes the urgent need for protective measures.
Risk of Harm to Mental Health Despite bans in several states, over 1,300 practitioners across the United States continue to offer conversion therapy. Individuals who have undergone conversion therapy face a heightened risk of mental health issues, including depression, low self-esteem, substance misuse, and suicidal behavior. The persistence of these practitioners poses a significant threat to the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Global Perspective on Conversion Therapy Looking beyond the United States, it is estimated that one in three LGBTQIA+ people worldwide have been subjected to conversion therapy, often leading to lasting trauma. This global perspective underscores the need for international efforts to end such practices and support the mental health of survivors.
Voices of Resilience: Survivor Advocacy Against Conversion Therapy
Deb Cuny’s journey is a poignant reflection of the struggle faced by many who undergo conversion therapy. Growing up in a fundamentalist Christian home, Deb’s self-discovery of her queer identity during high school led to a seismic shift in her life, particularly after her family learned of it. Despite enduring significant challenges and trauma, Deb has become a strong advocate. Her efforts to share her experiences serve not only to educate the public but also to offer solidarity and support to those with similar stories. Her narrative stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of conversion therapy survivors and amplifies the urgent call to ban such harmful practices. Through her advocacy, Deb champions the broader movement for LGBTQIA+ rights and mental health, underscoring the vital need for acceptance and support within families and communities.
Peter Cruz's experience with conversion therapy sheds light on the profound harm inflicted by these discredited methods. Raised in a devout household in Southern California, Peter’s bond with his mother was deepened through their involvement in church activities. However, his disclosure of his sexual orientation during high school led to immense pressure to change this integral aspect of his identity. At 17, Peter sought guidance from a priest, leading to an encounter with Joseph Nicolosi, a notorious proponent of conversion therapy. Nicolosi’s unfounded theory—that the absence of a strong male role model led Peter to emulate his mother’s feminine traits, including her sexual orientation—proved to be not only ineffective but also damaging. Efforts to strengthen his relationship with his father felt contrived, and the family’s reluctance to engage in open discussions about sexuality only exacerbated the issue. Peter’s harrowing experience exemplifies how conversion therapy can be deceitfully presented as supportive care, all the while causing deep psychological trauma. His story, along with those of countless other survivors, underscores the imperative to eradicate conversion therapy practices globally.
Darren Calhoun’s narrative as a survivor of conversion therapy highlights the insidious nature of these practices and the enduring impact they have on individuals. At the vulnerable age of 17, Darren was misled into conversion therapy by a pastor, under the guise that changing his sexual orientation would align him with divine will and ensure his salvation. The process led to his isolation from friends and family and subjected him to relentless messaging that vilified his true identity. He was compelled to abandon his education and follow the church’s stringent directives, which included a move to Indiana to live in a church basement with minimal financial support, further entrenching his dependence on the institution. Despite these tribulations, Darren has evolved from a confused teenager into a vocal advocate for those who have suffered similar fates. He shares his story to illuminate the ineffectiveness and destructiveness of conversion therapy, which is associated with a host of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and an increased risk of suicide. His activism is a vital contribution to the broader effort to support survivors and put an end to conversion therapy, a practice denounced by leading organizations such as the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Darren’s journey is a stark reminder of the importance of acceptance and the dangers inherent in attempts to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity through such discredited and harmful methods. He now stands as a beacon for the cause, advocating for the well-being and rights of individuals who have endured similar experiences.
Survivor-Led Initiatives
The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQIA+ youth, emphasizing the importance of mental health care for survivors.
Born Perfect: A campaign by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) created to end conversion therapy, focusing on passing laws, fighting in courtrooms, and raising awareness.
Conversion Therapy Dropout Network: Offers a support network for individuals who have experienced conversion therapy, providing a platform for survivors to connect and share their stories.
The Role of Society and Communities
The eradication of conversion therapy requires more than just legal action; it necessitates a cultural shift towards acceptance and support. Families and communities must create safe spaces where LGBTQIA+ individuals can live authentically without fear of coercion or discrimination.
How to Support the Cause
Educate and Advocate: Learn about the harmful effects of conversion therapy and advocate for legislative change.
Donate and Volunteer: Provide financial support and volunteer with organizations working to end conversion therapy.
Support Survivors: Listen to and amplify the voices of conversion therapy survivors.
Partner with Associations: Engage with mental health associations and community groups to support initiatives against conversion therapy.
As we celebrate Pride, we must acknowledge the ongoing struggle against conversion therapy. This practice inflicts untold harm and has no place in our society. The fight against conversion therapy is a critical part of the broader struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights and mental health. It is a fight for human rights and dignity, and it is one that we must continue with unwavering commitment. Thank you for reading, and Happy Pride!
EXTRAS:
Here are some valuable resources for readers who want to learn more about conversion therapy and its impact on LGBTQIA+ Individuals:
The Trevor Project Guide: So-Called “Conversion Therapy” and LGBTQ Youth Mental Health: This comprehensive guide provides information about conversion therapy, its harmful effects, and resources for mental health support.
Conversion “Therapy.” It’s Still Happening. | The Trevor Project: Explore this report to delve deeper into the issue of conversion therapy. It includes information on laws, mental health impact, and The Trevor Project’s work in this area.
Facts about Conversion Therapy - American Psychological Association (APA): Contained in this document are detailed facts regarding conversion therapy, covering its detrimental impacts, definitions, and research results. It stresses that there is no requirement for treatment concerning same-gender attraction, gender non-conformity, or identifying as a sexual or gender minority. The APA Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation has determined that attempts to induce change are ineffective and may lead to harm.
Resources for Supporting Survivors of Conversion Therapy: The Association of LGBTQIA+ Psychiatrists provides a resource for locating mental health professionals who are affirming. The GALIP Foundation presents a directory of Christian congregations that are affirming. Survivors of conversion therapy can receive essential support from local LGBTQIA+ community centers. You can locate centers in your area by using CenterLink’s directory.
Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists: Individuals looking for supportive mental health care can benefit from the valuable resource offered by this organization. Their database enables you to locate psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and counselors specializing in LGBTQIA+ mental health. Engaging with these professionals allows you to receive culturally sensitive and encouraging care that is personalized to meet your specific requirements.
Documentaries:
Pray Away (2021): Streaming on Netflix This eye-opening documentary explores the dangers of conversion therapy, featuring survivors and former leaders who share their experiences. It sheds light on the ongoing impact of this unethical practice.
Conversion: Streaming on Paramount Plus & Peacock Premium A powerful documentary that provides firsthand accounts from individuals who survived conversion therapy. It highlights the urgent need to raise awareness about its realities.
Films:
Boy Erased (2018): Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube You can rent or buy Boy Erased on these platforms. Based on Garrard Conley’s memoir, this film follows a young man forced into an “ex-gay Christian Ministry.” It portrays the dehumanizing treatments and the support he finds among fellow patients.
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999): Streaming on Paramount Plus, Hoopla and Kanopy A campy teen satire that tackles conversion therapy. It humorously explores the experiences of a vegetarian cheerleader sent to a conversion camp.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018): Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, AMC+ and YouTube: You can rent or buy The Miseducation of Cameron Post on these platforms.
Adapted from Emily M. Danforth’s novel, this film follows a teenage girl sent to a conversion therapy center after being caught with another girl.
Books:
“The Miseducation of Cameron Post” by Emily M. Danforth: The novel that inspired the film. It delves into the experiences of a young girl navigating conversion therapy.
“Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family” by Garrard Conley: The powerful memoir that inspired the film. It provides a firsthand account of surviving conversion therapy.
Remember, these resources can inspire change and raise awareness about the harmful impact of conversion therapy.
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