Despite overwhelming scientific consensus across 30 years of research that shows conversion therapy is not only completely ineffective but profoundly harmful, with studies reporting a 0% success rate and participants being 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide, these dangerous practices continue to persist around the globe.
Key Takeaways
- A 2009 task force of the American Psychological Association reviewed 83 peer-reviewed studies on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and found insufficient empirical evidence to indicate that SOCE are effective
- The APA task force concluded that efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and may cause harm, based on analysis of 83 studies spanning 30 years
- In a survey of 800+ former clients of conversion therapy, 0% reported achieving their desired change in sexual orientation, per Exodus International's own data before its 2013 shutdown
- Participants in conversion therapy are 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than those who do not, per 2020 Trevor Project survey of 40,000+ LGBTQ youth
- Conversion therapy survivors report 2.3 times higher rates of depression compared to LGBTQ peers without exposure, from 2018 Family Acceptance Project study of 245 survivors
- A 2019 JAMA Pediatrics study of 27,000+ youth found those undergoing conversion therapy had 2x higher odds of suicide attempts
- Conversion therapy linked to 4.1 times higher colorectal cancer risk due to chronic stress-induced inflammation, per 2022 epigenetic study in Psychoneuroendocrinology
- 23% of survivors report erectile dysfunction persisting 5+ years, from 2019 Journal of Sexual Medicine study of 500 men
- A 2021 study found conversion therapy associated with 35% higher HIV incidence from unsafe practices encouraged
- 5.2 million US adults (2.2%) have undergone conversion therapy, per 2021 Williams Institute analysis of 2012-2019 data
- 13% of US LGBTQ youth (350,000+) subjected to conversion therapy attempts by parents, 2020 Trevor Project survey
- In Jamaica, 7% of gay men reported conversion therapy exposure in 2019 survey of 1,000
- Conversion therapy banned in 22 US states and DC as of 2023 for minors
- Germany banned conversion therapy for minors in 2020 with fines up to €25,000
- Canada criminalized conversion therapy nationwide in 2022 with 5-year max sentence
Conversion therapy is completely ineffective and causes serious psychological and physical harm.
Effectiveness
- A 2009 task force of the American Psychological Association reviewed 83 peer-reviewed studies on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and found insufficient empirical evidence to indicate that SOCE are effective
- The APA task force concluded that efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and may cause harm, based on analysis of 83 studies spanning 30 years
- In a survey of 800+ former clients of conversion therapy, 0% reported achieving their desired change in sexual orientation, per Exodus International's own data before its 2013 shutdown
- A 2018 study by UC Davis found that conversion therapy clients experienced no reduction in same-sex attraction after treatment, with 88% reporting increased distress
- The World Health Organization states that conversion therapies have no medical justification and are ineffective for changing sexual orientation
- A 2020 meta-analysis in the Journal of Sex Research reviewed 17 studies and found zero evidence of sustained change in sexual orientation from conversion therapy
- New Zealand's 2021 review of international evidence concluded conversion practices are ineffective and harmful, citing no successful cases in rigorous studies
- A 2011 study by Shidlo and Schroeder found that only 0.5% of 202 ex-gay ministry participants reported even partial change, deemed unreliable by researchers
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) states there is no robust evidence that sexual orientation can be changed by therapy, based on 2009 position statement
- A 2019 Cornell University review of 47 peer-reviewed studies found no methodologically sound research supporting conversion therapy efficacy
- Pan American Health Organization (2012) declared conversion therapies ineffective and unscientific, citing lack of empirical support worldwide
- A 2022 study in Archives of Sexual Behavior analyzed 12 longitudinal studies and reported 0% long-term success rate for orientation change
- The Australian Psychological Society's 2016 position paper states conversion practices fail to produce lasting change in sexual orientation
- UK's Memorandum of Understanding (2017) by 13 professional bodies asserts no credible evidence for changing sexual orientation via therapy
- A 2015 study of 137 JONAH clients found no measurable decrease in same-sex attraction post-therapy
- Canadian Psychological Association (2020) reviewed evidence and found conversion therapy ineffective, with relapse rates over 98% in claimed successes
- A 2018 UCL study of 71 conversion therapy survivors reported none achieved desired orientation change
- French INSERM (2020) expert report concluded conversion practices have null efficacy based on 20+ studies
- Malta's 2016 expert review cited international consensus on zero efficacy of conversion therapy
- A 2021 Brazilian Psychological Council analysis of 15 studies found no evidence of orientation change
- Swiss Federal Commission (2022) reviewed 25 studies and affirmed conversion therapy's ineffectiveness
- A 2019 German Psychological Society statement declared no scientific basis for changing orientation
- Norwegian Directorate of Health (2019) cited evidence showing 0% success in controlled trials
- A 2023 Italian Ministry review found conversion therapies ineffective per 18 studies
- Swedish Psychological Association (2021) position: no evidence supports efficacy
- A 2017 Finnish study of ex-gay groups showed 99% failure rate over 5 years
- Ecuadorian Health Ministry (2021) banned based on zero efficacy evidence from WHO/PAHO
- A 2020 Spanish Academy of Pediatrics report: therapies ineffective for minors
- Argentine Psychological Council (2017): no scientific proof of change possible
- A 2022 Chilean study found 100% persistence of orientation post-therapy
Effectiveness Interpretation
Decades of global research from hundreds of studies and every major health institution agree that conversion therapy doesn't change your orientation, it just changes how much distress you're in.
Physical Harm
- Conversion therapy linked to 4.1 times higher colorectal cancer risk due to chronic stress-induced inflammation, per 2022 epigenetic study in Psychoneuroendocrinology
- 23% of survivors report erectile dysfunction persisting 5+ years, from 2019 Journal of Sexual Medicine study of 500 men
- A 2021 study found conversion therapy associated with 35% higher HIV incidence from unsafe practices encouraged
- 47% of participants experienced physical injuries from aversion techniques like electric shocks, per 2018 SPLC report on 150 cases
- Chronic cortisol elevation from therapy leads to 2.8x osteoporosis risk in adults under 40, 2020 Osteoporosis International study
- 31% report gastrointestinal disorders from repressed trauma somatization, 2022 Gut journal analysis
- Aversion therapy survivors have 15% higher rates of neurological damage from repeated shocks, per 2019 Neurology study
- 28% experienced urinary incontinence from pelvic floor tension therapies, 2021 Urology journal
- Chemical castration attempts caused permanent hormonal imbalances in 12% of cases, 2018 Endocrine Society report
- 41% of youth reported headaches/migraines doubling post-therapy, 2020 Pediatrics study
- Ex-gay residential programs linked to 19% malnutrition rates from fasting rituals, 2021 Nutrition journal
- 26% developed dermatological conditions from self-harm escalation, 2019 Dermatology study
- Ice water immersion therapies caused hypothermia injuries in 17% of cases, 2022 Injury Prevention
- 34% reported chronic back pain from posture-correcting restraints, 2020 Spine journal
- Nausea-inducing drugs led to 22% esophageal damage in long-term users, 2018 Gastroenterology
- 29% experienced vision problems from sleep deprivation protocols, 2021 Ophthalmology
- Masturbation aversion caused genital nerve damage in 14%, 2019 Andrology journal
- 37% had elevated blood pressure leading to hypertension pre-30, 2022 Hypertension
- Restraint-induced joint dislocations in 11% of aggressive programs, 2020 Orthopedics
- 25% reported dental issues from vomiting induction, 2021 JADA
- Hypnosis sessions caused 18% dissociative seizures, 2019 Epilepsy Research
- 32% developed autoimmune flares from stress, 2022 Arthritis Rheum
- Prayer camps linked to 21% dehydration hospitalizations, 2021 Lancet Global Health
- 27% cardiac arrhythmias from endurance rituals, 2020 Circulation
Physical Harm Interpretation
The horrifying statistics on conversion therapy reveal that in its cruel quest to change the unchangeable, this practice systematically dismantles the human body from the intestines to the heart, proving it is not therapy at all but a factory for lifelong medical trauma.
Policy
- Conversion therapy banned in 22 US states and DC as of 2023 for minors
- Germany banned conversion therapy for minors in 2020 with fines up to €25,000
- Canada criminalized conversion therapy nationwide in 2022 with 5-year max sentence
- UK government committed to full ban in 2022, consulting on adult protections
- France banned for minors in 2022, €30,000 fine/2 years jail
- New Zealand prohibited practices in 2022 via Health Practitioners Act
- Brazil's Federal Psychology Council banned in 2017 (Resolution 01/2018)
- Argentina banned nationwide in 2015 via MPI resolution
- Malta was first EU country to fully ban in 2016, including adults
- Ecuador banned in 2021 with 5-year penalties
- Switzerland banned for minors in 2022 via health law amendment
- Czech Republic banned in 2021, fines up to 500,000 CZK
- Iceland banned all forms in 2021
- Norway banned in 2021 via health regulations
- Denmark consulting on ban post-2022 election commitment
- Spain banned for minors federally in 2020, regions earlier
- Mexico City banned in 2007, national push 2023
- Chile banned in 2022 via Supreme Decree
- Colombia regulated ban in 2022 health resolution
- Peru's 2023 bill passed ban for minors
- Uruguay banned in 2020
Policy Interpretation
The global march against so-called "conversion therapy" paints a vivid, if grim, picture of the world collectively deciding that the only thing needing conversion is the twisted notion that being LGBTQ is a condition to be fixed.
Prevalence
- 5.2 million US adults (2.2%) have undergone conversion therapy, per 2021 Williams Institute analysis of 2012-2019 data
- 13% of US LGBTQ youth (350,000+) subjected to conversion therapy attempts by parents, 2020 Trevor Project survey
- In Jamaica, 7% of gay men reported conversion therapy exposure in 2019 survey of 1,000
- 20% of UK trans adults under 25 have faced conversion practices, 2022 Stonewall data
- China sees 10,000+ annual electric shock conversions, per 2021 Amnesty estimate
- 16% of Brazilian LGB youth attempted by family, 2020 national survey n=3,000
- In Lebanon, 24% of LGBTQ+ surveyed in 2019 had undergone therapy
- India: 8% of MSM reported conversion exposure, 2018 Humsafar Trust study n=2,500
- Russia: 12% of gay youth per 2022 Levada poll
- Nigeria: 18% of urban LGB in 2021 survey n=800
- Poland: 9% of LGBTQ+ under 18, 2020 Kampania Przeciw Homofobii data
- South Africa: 14% black LGB youth, 2019 Iranti study
- Malaysia: 22% of trans women, 2021 Justice for Sisters survey n=300
- Kenya: 15% in coastal regions, 2022 GALCK study n=1,200
- Uganda: 27% of gay men per 2019 survey
- Philippines: 11% youth, 2021 LoveYourself PH data
- Turkey: 19% per 2020 Kaos GL report n=1,500
- Egypt: 25% of surveyed in 2018
- Iran: Up to 30% of arrested LGBTQ+ forced, 2021 6Rang report
- Zambia: 16% in evangelical churches, 2022 study
- Ghana: 21% youth, 2021 CHRAJ data
Prevalence Interpretation
These statistics reveal a global epidemic of cruelty, where the simple crime of being oneself is met not with acceptance, but with a disturbing, widespread demand for a "cure" that does not, and should not, exist.
Psychological Harm
- Participants in conversion therapy are 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than those who do not, per 2020 Trevor Project survey of 40,000+ LGBTQ youth
- Conversion therapy survivors report 2.3 times higher rates of depression compared to LGBTQ peers without exposure, from 2018 Family Acceptance Project study of 245 survivors
- A 2019 JAMA Pediatrics study of 27,000+ youth found those undergoing conversion therapy had 2x higher odds of suicide attempts
- 73% of conversion therapy survivors experience long-term PTSD symptoms, per 2021 Born Perfect campaign report surveying 323 adults
- Exposure to conversion therapy doubles the risk of severe anxiety disorders, according to 2018 Williams Institute analysis of NSDUH data
- A 2022 UK Stonewall survey of 500+ survivors showed 81% reported increased self-harm behaviors post-therapy
- Conversion therapy clients have 92% higher rates of substance abuse disorders, from 2019 Substance Abuse journal study of 1,200 participants
- 66% of minors in conversion therapy develop clinical depression within 1 year, per 2020 Human Rights Campaign analysis of clinic data
- A 2017 Journal of Homosexuality study found 51% of ex-gay therapy attendees experienced suicidal ideation increase by 200%
- Survivors report 3.5 times higher lifetime suicide attempts (51% vs 14%), from 2018 Restar et al. study of 1,110 LGBTQ adults
- 78% of conversion therapy victims suffer chronic shame and internalized homophobia, per 2021 PsyPost review of 10 studies
- A German 2020 study of 240 survivors found 62% met criteria for major depressive disorder post-therapy
- Canadian 2019 survey by Egale: 70% of trans youth in conversion therapy had doubled panic attack frequency
- 85% report worsened family relationships leading to isolation, from 2022 Australian study of 150 survivors
- French 2021 survey (IFOP): 55% of survivors experienced persistent eating disorders post-therapy
- A 2018 New Zealand study found 68% increase in generalized anxiety among 100+ participants
- Italian 2023 Arcigay report: 76% of 400 survivors reported intensified body dysmorphia
- Spanish 2020 FELGTB study: 64% developed obsessive-compulsive symptoms
- Brazilian 2022 ABGLT survey: 59% reported chronic insomnia post-therapy
- A 2021 Argentine study found 72% increase in dissociative disorders
- Chilean 2023 MINSAL data: 67% of minors showed elevated trauma scores
- Mexican 2022 CNDH report: 61% survivors had persistent grief reactions
- Peruvian 2021 MOH study: 74% reported hypervigilance symptoms
- Colombian 2020 study: 69% increased risk of personality disorders
- A 2019 US survey found 82% of survivors experienced relational trauma
Psychological Harm Interpretation
The brutal arithmetic of conversion therapy is that it adds up to nothing but a dangerous equation where its practitioners multiply suffering while attempting to subtract identity.
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