Conversion Therapy Should be Banned

Conversion Therapy Should be Banned
By Emily Rick & Ayla Tulette

Conversion therapy is a harmful and disgusting act. We believe that the U.S. government should pass legislation criminalizing conversion therapy.

Conversion therapy is also known as reparative therapy. Victims of it are referred to it as “patients that are sick”. Therapy practices can include aversion therapy, gender reinforcement, electric shock therapy to the genitals and sniffing human feces, and other sexual interactions (RWiki). These practices are forms of verbal and physical abuse, and can legally be used on children and adults in most of the United States.

Reputable places such as AACAP, (American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry), have undergone extensive research on conversion therapy and concluded, “ there is no evidence that sexual orientation can be altered..or prevented..through therapy, and that attempts to do so may be harmful (hrc).” Many religious institutions are against homosexuality, believing it to be a sin, and that it can be altered. Research has proven this is wrong.

The fact is, conversion therapy does not work and only causes harm. Many victims develop mental illnesses that can lead to suicide. The LGBTQ+ community are born the way they are, and should not be subject to this abuse.

Campaign, Human Rights. “The Lies and Dangers of “Conversion Therapy”.” Human Rights
Campaign. N.p., 2017. Web. 07 June 2017.

“Reparative Therapy.” Reparative Therapy – RationalWiki. N.p., 2017. Web. 07 June 2017.