Conversion therapy

Definition

Conversion therapy refers to a range of practices aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, often based on the belief that non-heterosexual orientations or transgender identities are abnormal or unhealthy. This controversial practice has been widely discredited by medical and psychological organizations, which highlight its harmful effects on mental health, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals, while also intersecting with disability rights as it may involve coercive and abusive methods.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Conversion therapy has been condemned by major organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization due to its ineffectiveness and potential for causing harm.
2. Many countries and regions have enacted bans on conversion therapy practices, recognizing it as a violation of human rights.
3. The methods used in conversion therapy can include talk therapy, aversive conditioning, and even physical abuse, which can lead to long-lasting trauma.
4. Studies show that individuals who undergo conversion therapy experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts compared to those who do not.
5. The intersection of conversion therapy with disability rights arises when individuals are coerced into these practices under the guise of 'treatment' for perceived mental health issues related to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Review Questions

• How does conversion therapy impact the mental health of individuals who undergo it?
  • Conversion therapy can have severe negative effects on the mental health of individuals subjected to it. Research indicates that those who experience these practices report increased levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The trauma inflicted by conversion therapy often results in long-term psychological distress, undermining the individual's self-acceptance and overall well-being.
• What legal measures have been taken globally to address the practice of conversion therapy and protect LGBTQ+ rights?
  • Many countries have taken significant steps to ban conversion therapy through legislation aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ rights. These bans reflect a growing recognition that conversion therapy is a violation of human rights. Additionally, some regions are implementing public awareness campaigns to inform individuals about the dangers of such practices and promote acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
• Evaluate the ethical implications of conversion therapy in relation to both LGBTQ+ rights and disability rights.
  • The ethical implications of conversion therapy are profound, as they touch upon fundamental human rights related to autonomy, identity, and mental health. In terms of LGBTQ+ rights, conversion therapy represents an attempt to deny individuals their authentic selves under a false premise of 'normalization.' From a disability rights perspective, coercive practices that label non-heteronormative identities as pathological can lead to harmful interventions framed as necessary treatment. This intersection raises critical questions about consent, agency, and the role of medical professionals in supporting rather than harming vulnerable populations.

Related terms

LGBTQ+ Rights: The legal and social protections afforded to individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and others within the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Mental Health: A person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which can be severely affected by practices like conversion therapy.

Discrimination: Unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, often seen in contexts affecting both LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities.