Conversion therapy is a terrible practice that has long been in use to attempt to convert queer and genderqueer individuals into cishet people.  There are many reasons that those who identify as LGBTQIA+ might seek out conversion therapies.  It could be internalized homophobia or transphobia, pressure from their families, or desire to not be bullied or discriminated against anymore.  However, these therapies rarely work.  You cannot change someone’s gender or sexual identity, especially not with some of the extreme techniques used in a lot of conversion therapies.  In the past, therapies used to include extreme physical treatments like electric shocks and castration.  These techniques were incredibly bad for people’s health, and were not effective in converting the individual.  Homophobia used to be so bad that homosexuality was a condition listed in the DSM.  In the first edition, it was classified as a “sociopathic personality disturbance.”  To read more about the history of homosexuality in the DSM, click here.  Recently, however, the general public’s acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people has increased, and legislation has been passed that reflects that.  Homosexuality is no longer a condition listed in the DSM, either.  Regardless, young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ have a significantly higher rate of suicidal thoughts and actions than those who do not identify as such.  Thankfully, there is now legislation that officials have passed on the local level to stop conversion therapy.  However, minimal state level legislation has been passed, and conversion therapy is still a big issue in many areas.  For instance, a lot of LGBTQIA+ youth live in Florida, and it is one of the bigger states without a conversion therapy ban.  A ban on conversion therapy would impact thousands of residents in a positive way, since conversion therapies are so harmful. (Protecting Florida’s LGBTQ+ Young by Prohibiting the Use of Conversion Therapy)

On top of being so harmful, conversion therapies are ineffective as well.  The prevalence of mental health issues among survivors of conversion therapy is also quite high.  This is mainly because the practices used can be so extreme.  The methods used can include electric shocks, hypnosis, and “corrective rape.”  There are more mild forms that exist as well, like ones that focus on talk, prayer, and behavioral modifications, but all of these conversion therapy techniques cause negative effects like feeling shame, depression, social withdrawal, suicide idealation and attempts, and lower income.  Furthermore, people who identify as transgender, GNC, Hispanic, or lower income are more likely to go through conversion therapy.  Overall, conversion therapy is a horrible practice that has a myriad of negative outcomes. (Conversion therapy in the Southern United States: Prevalence and experiences of the survivors)