Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific and discredited practice that attempts to force LGBTQ+ individuals to change their sexual orientation or gender identity and instead identify as heterosexual or cisgender. Because it is now understood that sexual orientation is not a choice or something that can be changed, so-called conversion therapy—sometimes called reparative therapy, ex-gay therapy, or sexual reorientation therapy—is not only ineffective, it is often actively harmful. Research has co
The Harm Caused by Conversion Therapy
So-called conversion therapy is arguably among the more shameful parts of psychology’s past. In the U.S., homosexuality was considered a mental illness until 1973; before that, many psychologists, psychoanalysts, and psychiatrists around the world openly shamed or attempted to convert their queer clients. The form of "treatment" varied; some practitioners used hypnosis or aversion therapy tactics—for example, pairing homosexual stimuli with electric shocks—to “correct” a patient’s orientation; faith-based treatment was also common and may have included prayer or even, in extreme cases, attempted exorcisms. Extensive research has confirmed that such tactics are ineffective, cruel, and strongly associated with long-lasting psychological harm; conversion therapy has even been described as torture or a violation of human rights.
Many adverse events are associated with conversion therapy. One large study found that LGBTQ+ individuals who underwent conversion therapy were significantly more likely than their peers to experience depression , substance abuse , or other forms of severe psychological distress; 58 percent had attempted suicide. The same study also found that conversion therapy had a significant economic cost for society at large, both in terms of increased mental health care costs and in terms of lost productivity .
Yes, research has consistently found a link between undergoing conversion therapy and heightened suicidality . A 2020 study found that, compared to LGBTQ+ individuals who had never experienced conversion therapy, those who did were 92 percent more likely to experience suicidal ideation and 75 percent more likely to plan a suicide attempt.
It depends on the jurisdiction. In some countries, including Canada and France, it is illegal for anyone to perform conversion therapy on another person, regardless of their age; in other countries, such as New Zealand, the bill only applies to conversion therapy performed on minors. The practice has also been made illegal in many U.S. states, including California, New York, Maine, and others. In many states, however, no laws pertaining to conversion therapy currently exist.
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