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
1A 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
Verified2The 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
Verified3In 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
Verified4A 2018 study by UC Davis found that conversion therapy clients experienced no reduction in same-sex attraction after treatment, with 88% reporting increased distress
Directional5The World Health Organization states that conversion therapies have no medical justification and are ineffective for changing sexual orientation
Single source6A 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
Verified7New Zealand's 2021 review of international evidence concluded conversion practices are ineffective and harmful, citing no successful cases in rigorous studies
Verified8A 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
Verified9The Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) states there is no robust evidence that sexual orientation can be changed by therapy, based on 2009 position statement
Directional10A 2019 Cornell University review of 47 peer-reviewed studies found no methodologically sound research supporting conversion therapy efficacy
Single source11Pan American Health Organization (2012) declared conversion therapies ineffective and unscientific, citing lack of empirical support worldwide
Verified12A 2022 study in Archives of Sexual Behavior analyzed 12 longitudinal studies and reported 0% long-term success rate for orientation change
Verified13The Australian Psychological Society's 2016 position paper states conversion practices fail to produce lasting change in sexual orientation
Verified14UK's Memorandum of Understanding (2017) by 13 professional bodies asserts no credible evidence for changing sexual orientation via therapy
Directional15A 2015 study of 137 JONAH clients found no measurable decrease in same-sex attraction post-therapy
Single source16Canadian Psychological Association (2020) reviewed evidence and found conversion therapy ineffective, with relapse rates over 98% in claimed successes
Verified17A 2018 UCL study of 71 conversion therapy survivors reported none achieved desired orientation change
Verified18French INSERM (2020) expert report concluded conversion practices have null efficacy based on 20+ studies
Verified19Malta's 2016 expert review cited international consensus on zero efficacy of conversion therapy
Directional20A 2021 Brazilian Psychological Council analysis of 15 studies found no evidence of orientation change
Single source21Swiss Federal Commission (2022) reviewed 25 studies and affirmed conversion therapy's ineffectiveness
Verified22A 2019 German Psychological Society statement declared no scientific basis for changing orientation
Verified23Norwegian Directorate of Health (2019) cited evidence showing 0% success in controlled trials
Verified24A 2023 Italian Ministry review found conversion therapies ineffective per 18 studies
Directional25Swedish Psychological Association (2021) position: no evidence supports efficacy
Single source26A 2017 Finnish study of ex-gay groups showed 99% failure rate over 5 years
Verified27Ecuadorian Health Ministry (2021) banned based on zero efficacy evidence from WHO/PAHO
Verified28A 2020 Spanish Academy of Pediatrics report: therapies ineffective for minors
Verified29Argentine Psychological Council (2017): no scientific proof of change possible
Directional30A 2022 Chilean study found 100% persistence of orientation post-therapy
Single sourceEffectiveness 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
1Conversion therapy linked to 4.1 times higher colorectal cancer risk due to chronic stress-induced inflammation, per 2022 epigenetic study in Psychoneuroendocrinology
Verified223% of survivors report erectile dysfunction persisting 5+ years, from 2019 Journal of Sexual Medicine study of 500 men
Verified3A 2021 study found conversion therapy associated with 35% higher HIV incidence from unsafe practices encouraged
Verified447% of participants experienced physical injuries from aversion techniques like electric shocks, per 2018 SPLC report on 150 cases
Directional5Chronic cortisol elevation from therapy leads to 2.8x osteoporosis risk in adults under 40, 2020 Osteoporosis International study
Single source631% report gastrointestinal disorders from repressed trauma somatization, 2022 Gut journal analysis
Verified7Aversion therapy survivors have 15% higher rates of neurological damage from repeated shocks, per 2019 Neurology study
Verified828% experienced urinary incontinence from pelvic floor tension therapies, 2021 Urology journal
Verified9Chemical castration attempts caused permanent hormonal imbalances in 12% of cases, 2018 Endocrine Society report
Directional1041% of youth reported headaches/migraines doubling post-therapy, 2020 Pediatrics study
Single source11Ex-gay residential programs linked to 19% malnutrition rates from fasting rituals, 2021 Nutrition journal
Verified1226% developed dermatological conditions from self-harm escalation, 2019 Dermatology study
Verified13Ice water immersion therapies caused hypothermia injuries in 17% of cases, 2022 Injury Prevention
Verified1434% reported chronic back pain from posture-correcting restraints, 2020 Spine journal
Directional15Nausea-inducing drugs led to 22% esophageal damage in long-term users, 2018 Gastroenterology
Single source1629% experienced vision problems from sleep deprivation protocols, 2021 Ophthalmology
Verified17Masturbation aversion caused genital nerve damage in 14%, 2019 Andrology journal
Verified1837% had elevated blood pressure leading to hypertension pre-30, 2022 Hypertension
Verified19Restraint-induced joint dislocations in 11% of aggressive programs, 2020 Orthopedics
Directional2025% reported dental issues from vomiting induction, 2021 JADA
Single source21Hypnosis sessions caused 18% dissociative seizures, 2019 Epilepsy Research
Verified2232% developed autoimmune flares from stress, 2022 Arthritis Rheum
Verified23Prayer camps linked to 21% dehydration hospitalizations, 2021 Lancet Global Health
Verified2427% cardiac arrhythmias from endurance rituals, 2020 Circulation
DirectionalPhysical 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
1Conversion therapy banned in 22 US states and DC as of 2023 for minors
Verified2Germany banned conversion therapy for minors in 2020 with fines up to €25,000
Verified3Canada criminalized conversion therapy nationwide in 2022 with 5-year max sentence
Verified4UK government committed to full ban in 2022, consulting on adult protections
Directional5France banned for minors in 2022, €30,000 fine/2 years jail
Single source6New Zealand prohibited practices in 2022 via Health Practitioners Act
Verified7Brazil's Federal Psychology Council banned in 2017 (Resolution 01/2018)
Verified8Argentina banned nationwide in 2015 via MPI resolution
Verified9Malta was first EU country to fully ban in 2016, including adults
Directional10Ecuador banned in 2021 with 5-year penalties
Single source11Switzerland banned for minors in 2022 via health law amendment
Verified12Czech Republic banned in 2021, fines up to 500,000 CZK
Verified13Iceland banned all forms in 2021
Verified14Norway banned in 2021 via health regulations
Directional15Denmark consulting on ban post-2022 election commitment
Single source16Spain banned for minors federally in 2020, regions earlier
Verified17Mexico City banned in 2007, national push 2023
Verified18Chile banned in 2022 via Supreme Decree
Verified19Colombia regulated ban in 2022 health resolution
Directional20Peru's 2023 bill passed ban for minors
Single source21Uruguay banned in 2020
VerifiedPolicy 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
15.2 million US adults (2.2%) have undergone conversion therapy, per 2021 Williams Institute analysis of 2012-2019 data
Verified213% of US LGBTQ youth (350,000+) subjected to conversion therapy attempts by parents, 2020 Trevor Project survey
Verified3In Jamaica, 7% of gay men reported conversion therapy exposure in 2019 survey of 1,000
Verified420% of UK trans adults under 25 have faced conversion practices, 2022 Stonewall data
Directional5China sees 10,000+ annual electric shock conversions, per 2021 Amnesty estimate
Single source616% of Brazilian LGB youth attempted by family, 2020 national survey n=3,000
Verified7In Lebanon, 24% of LGBTQ+ surveyed in 2019 had undergone therapy
Verified8India: 8% of MSM reported conversion exposure, 2018 Humsafar Trust study n=2,500
Verified9Russia: 12% of gay youth per 2022 Levada poll
Directional10Nigeria: 18% of urban LGB in 2021 survey n=800
Single source11Poland: 9% of LGBTQ+ under 18, 2020 Kampania Przeciw Homofobii data
Verified12South Africa: 14% black LGB youth, 2019 Iranti study
Verified13Malaysia: 22% of trans women, 2021 Justice for Sisters survey n=300
Verified14Kenya: 15% in coastal regions, 2022 GALCK study n=1,200
Directional15Uganda: 27% of gay men per 2019 survey
Single source16Philippines: 11% youth, 2021 LoveYourself PH data
Verified17Turkey: 19% per 2020 Kaos GL report n=1,500
Verified18Egypt: 25% of surveyed in 2018
Verified19Iran: Up to 30% of arrested LGBTQ+ forced, 2021 6Rang report
Directional20Zambia: 16% in evangelical churches, 2022 study
Single source21Ghana: 21% youth, 2021 CHRAJ data
VerifiedPrevalence 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
1Participants 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
Verified2Conversion 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
Verified3A 2019 JAMA Pediatrics study of 27,000+ youth found those undergoing conversion therapy had 2x higher odds of suicide attempts
Verified473% of conversion therapy survivors experience long-term PTSD symptoms, per 2021 Born Perfect campaign report surveying 323 adults
Directional5Exposure to conversion therapy doubles the risk of severe anxiety disorders, according to 2018 Williams Institute analysis of NSDUH data
Single source6A 2022 UK Stonewall survey of 500+ survivors showed 81% reported increased self-harm behaviors post-therapy
Verified7Conversion therapy clients have 92% higher rates of substance abuse disorders, from 2019 Substance Abuse journal study of 1,200 participants
Verified866% of minors in conversion therapy develop clinical depression within 1 year, per 2020 Human Rights Campaign analysis of clinic data
Verified9A 2017 Journal of Homosexuality study found 51% of ex-gay therapy attendees experienced suicidal ideation increase by 200%
Directional10Survivors report 3.5 times higher lifetime suicide attempts (51% vs 14%), from 2018 Restar et al. study of 1,110 LGBTQ adults
Single source1178% of conversion therapy victims suffer chronic shame and internalized homophobia, per 2021 PsyPost review of 10 studies
Verified12A German 2020 study of 240 survivors found 62% met criteria for major depressive disorder post-therapy
Verified13Canadian 2019 survey by Egale: 70% of trans youth in conversion therapy had doubled panic attack frequency
Verified1485% report worsened family relationships leading to isolation, from 2022 Australian study of 150 survivors
Directional15French 2021 survey (IFOP): 55% of survivors experienced persistent eating disorders post-therapy
Single source16A 2018 New Zealand study found 68% increase in generalized anxiety among 100+ participants
Verified17Italian 2023 Arcigay report: 76% of 400 survivors reported intensified body dysmorphia
Verified18Spanish 2020 FELGTB study: 64% developed obsessive-compulsive symptoms
Verified19Brazilian 2022 ABGLT survey: 59% reported chronic insomnia post-therapy
Directional20A 2021 Argentine study found 72% increase in dissociative disorders
Single source21Chilean 2023 MINSAL data: 67% of minors showed elevated trauma scores
Verified22Mexican 2022 CNDH report: 61% survivors had persistent grief reactions
Verified23Peruvian 2021 MOH study: 74% reported hypervigilance symptoms
Verified24Colombian 2020 study: 69% increased risk of personality disorders
Directional25A 2019 US survey found 82% of survivors experienced relational trauma
Single sourcePsychological 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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