Conversion Therapy

Conversion therapy, also called reparative or ex-gay therapy, refers to any practice that claims to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Methods have ranged from talk therapy and religious counseling to aversion techniques. Every major U.S. medical and mental health organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Psychological Association, has condemned it as ineffective and harmful. Research from The Trevor Project links exposure to significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts among LGBTQ+ youth. Many U.S. states and countries ban the practice for minors, though advocates note it often continues under rebranded names. Its harms are documented as both measurable and long lasting.