Although attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people appear to be moving in a positive direction, there is still a long way to go when it comes to widespread acceptance. People in these communities still experience discrimination, prejudice and violence from others. Conversion therapy involves the practice of converting one’s homosexuality or bisexuality to heterosexuality using psychological, physical or religion-based methods. This may seem like a viable way of avoiding or reducing the harm that many LGBTQ+ individuals experience. Some people believe that if same-sex attraction can be eliminated, a person can avoid negative responses to their sexual orientation. The reality is that conversion therapy is hurtful and dangerous.

Where’s the Science?

First, you should know that the scientific community considers conversion therapy to be pseudoscientific. There is no consistent or reliable proof that a person’s sexual orientation can be changed. Medical experts believe that these practices aren’t effective and can actually harm their subjects. The American Psychiatric Association has stated that this treatment, sometimes referred to as reparative therapy, is unethical. The APA believes that this approach is built on the idea that being gay or queer is a mental disorder.

Conversion therapy also promotes unscientific views related to sexual orientation. Administrators of these treatments often draw conclusions that are not based on facts. For example, some who have undergone conversion efforts relay that the practices resulted in conclusions that were unscientific. One such conclusion was the idea that being gay results from paternal absenteeism or having an overbearing mother. These theories for sexual orientation sometimes led patients to avoid family members or having friends of a particular gender.

Where Are the Standards?

When it comes to medical treatments, experts establish standard guidelines through extensive research, rigorous testing and comprehensive review. Conversion therapy has no commonly standard guidelines for treatment. Such treatment can include electroconvulsive treatment to trigger seizures and using drugs to make patients nauseous while watching same-sex content. Some programs include estrogen doses to reduce libido in male patients, while others employ methods related to psychoanalysis. A lack of consistent application of scientifically backed approaches means that they can consider almost anything as therapeutic, even methods that induce physical, psychological and emotional trauma.

Where’s the Pudding?

The American Psychological Association does not consider homosexuality or bisexuality to be a mental disorder. This means they do not require a cure. Studies of conversion therapies reveal that there is little evidence of success. Many who undergo these treatments still find themselves not only attracted to the same gender afterwards, but they also lack an increase in attraction to those of the opposite gender. Medical and scientific institutions do not support the idea of homosexuality as a mental disorder. Rather, it’s religious organizations, which aren’t considered to be experts or authorities on medical science, who believe it is. If the proof is in the pudding, there doesn’t seem to be any sweet, custard dessert to enjoy metaphorically.

Where’s the Support?

A growing number of jurisdictions, including 20 states, 94 municipalities, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, have banned the use of conversion therapy on persons under the age of 18. DC also extends the law to include adults. Many of these same jurisdictions also include gender identity and expression in the law. Penalties range from fines as well as incarceration. In addition to both APAs, several organizations have also banned conversion methods, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and more.

Despite innocent intentions, conversion therapy is not effective at making a person change sexual orientation or gender identity. Offering support to queer people who experience discrimination and violence doesn’t mean eliminating their attraction to others of the same gender. Real support means love, acceptance and speaking out against ill-treatment of people based on sexuality.