Conversion Therapy
and SOGIECE

We know that as 2S/LGBTQQIA+ people, we experience a significant number of unique and complex barriers to accessing mental, physical, sexual, spiritual, and cultural health services.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere – fight for LGBT human rights

Sexual orientation and gender identity and expression change efforts (SOGIECE) are deeply harmful, scientifically discredited practices that target vulnerable 2SLGBTQ Canadians. To protect people from this cruel treatment, all levels of government should work to prohibit people and organizations from conducting SOGIECE – as well as support the development of positive, affirming programs and services. Part of the challenge of ending SOGIECE is defining what the term means. Known more commonly as “Conversion Therapy,” SOGIECE is a broad set of practices that encompasses any form of efforts, explicit or implicit, which pressure someone to deny, suppress, or change their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to heterosexual and/or cisgender. This involves organized, sustained efforts, which may also be experienced as life-long pressures.

Supports for Survivors, Family, and Practitioners

Where can you turn to if you’re a survivor? What can you do if you’re a friend of a survivor? Whomever you are, there are supports out there for you. Unfortunately, they can be scarce and tough to find. We have compiled below some tips and resources to support SOGIECE/CT survivors, whether you’re a survivor yourself, or a friend or family member. SOGIECE falls into four distinct categories: psychotherapy, medical, faith-based, and punitive. However, in some cases, these conversion efforts are compounded. For example, a person who feels distress about their gender identity or sexual orientation may go to a counsellor, healthcare provider, church leader, or other person in authority for advice. This counsellor might give advice that would delay or impede the individual from coming to terms with the immutable or desirable nature of their sexuality, gender identity or gender expression. A parent could take a minor to such “counselling” against the minor’s will, doing irreparable harm.

For Survivors:

  • CT Survivors Connect is a Canadian, survivor led, online support group and service development program for survivors of conversion “therapy” (traumas)—a space for survivors to connect with other survivors. 
  • Conversion Therapy Dropout Network is another survivor support network. On the last Sunday of every month, they hold a Survivor Sunday round-table event where survivors come together and share stories.

CT Survivors is a group of survivors who have come together to connect and heal. You can join their newsletter and check out their events that include various trauma processing discussions for survivors. This network is based in the U.S. and welcomes Canadian SOGIECE/conversion therapy survivors.

For Parents:

Just As They Are: Protecting Our Children from the Harms of Conversion Therapy. National Center for Lesbian Rights This American guide (May 2020) helps parents recognize when and how conversion therapy is promoted, provides information about the dangers of the practice, and outlines best practices for parents seeking to promote the health and well-being of their LGBTQ child. 

  • Supporting Survivors of Conversion Therapy, by Reilla Archibald

Identifying harmful “Conversion Therapy” practices in all its forms, by Amrit Tiwana