Conversion Therapy Research Paper

Conversion Therapy Conversion therapy, a process in which gay youth and adults are turned straight has been practiced for over a century now. Professionals back then determined homosexuality to be a curable mental illness, thus inventing the process of conversion therapy (Eugene). This practice has only been banned in 3 out of 50 states in America. Parents can approve for minors to go through therapy sessions with conditions such as estrogen treatments, talk therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy (“Never Scared Straight”). Therapists hope to turn gay teenagers and adults into “ex-gays”, or change their mind through a series of therapeutic sessions. To establish the basics, homosexuality is not a choice as much as being straight is not …show more content…
Since some religions believe love and marriage is sacred between a man and woman, parents of gay children concern themselves with trying to have their children fit in with the rest of the community. Although, in my opinion, it is morally wrong for a parent to decide to send their child to harmful therapy sessions because of their beliefs, the Supreme Court has ruled that: “Even when the child's interests are taken into account, such as when challenging involuntarily commitment to a mental institution, the parents usually retain a ‘substantial, if not the dominant, role in the decision.’” (Friedman). This means that a parent can have final say on the matter of conversion therapy, and the youth have little to no influence on the decision. This in itself is a harmful process, and teenagers can feel neglected by their parents, which increases their self-loathing and in return makes them more depressed. As best described by The Register Guard: “Its existence is an affront to the dignity and well-being of thousands of gay and lesbian youths and adults whose sexual orientation is woven into the essence of their beings and cannot be changed through therapy.” (“Ban Conversion Therapy”). Identity is one of the most important things to have in a person’s life, and since someone’s sexuality is such a big part of what someone is as a person, without sexuality, it is hard to find that sense of knowing who someone is as a person. The loss of identity usually follows by deep depression, which can ultimately result in suicide. Teenage suicide is a big problem in the United States, especially amongst LGBT+ youth. The lack of protection and safety that these teenagers have in society already puts LGBT youth on the

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