23. Conversion Therapy's Dark Reality

We discuss the deeply flawed practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation. Related Episodes: 8. Paul, Gay Marriage and Gender Pronouns 11. Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church and Some Are Committing Suicide 12. The Problems with Purity 13. When Is Sex Between Two Unmarried People God Honoring? (Seven rules for sex between unmarried people) 21. A Trans Christian's Quest for Authenticity Movies Referenced: Boy Erased: https://www.netflix.com/title/80240538 Review quoted from The Jesuit Post: https://thejesuitpost.org/2018/11/boy-erased-conversion-therapy-and-the-catholic-church/ Pray Away: https://www.netflix.com/title/81040370 Review quoted from Conscience Magazine: https://www.catholicsforchoice.org/resource-library/netflixs-pray-away-exposes-conversion-therapy-fraud/ Articles and Websites Quoted: The American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/us/group-that-promoted-curing-gays-ceases-operations.html Time magazine: https://time.com/3065495/9-ex-leaders-of-the-gay-conversion-therapy-movement-apologize/ The AMA calls for ban: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/american-medical-association-backs-nationwide-conversion-therapy-ban-n1088731 Statistics quoted: Alan Chambers quote, “99.9% have not experienced a change in their orientation” from: https://wthrockmorton.com/2012/01/09/alan-chambers-99-9-have-not-experienced-a-change-in-their-orientation/ or https://www.npr.org/2013/06/20/193965227/group-that-claimed-to-cure-gays-disbands-leader-apologizes Post conversion therapy suicide ideation rate of 28% from Statista https://www.statista.com/statistics/1053024/lgbtq-youth-in-us-attempted-suicide-conversion-therapy-experience/ Trans children exposed to conversion therapy at a young age are four times more likely to report lifetime suicide attempts: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/transgender-conversion-therapy-associated-severe-psychological-distress-n1052416 Finding Affirming, Sex-Positive Counselors Who Do NOT Believe in Conversion Therapy: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/therapy-for-lgbt#organizations https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/california?category=gay (Find the LGBTQ Affirming pull-down or edit the URL and replace “California” with “Texas” or whatever state you’re in) https://www.choosingtherapy.com/finding-an-lgbtq-therapist/ https://allintherapyclinic.com/how-to-find-an-lgbt-affirming-therapist/ https://directory.choosingtherapy.com/ https://lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org/ On-line therapy: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/best-lgbtq-online-therapy-options/ https://www.talkspace.com/online-therapy/lgbtqia Benefits of Church Attendance for Adults and Children: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/regularly-attending-religious-services-associated-with-lower-risk-of-deaths-of-despair/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11302358/ https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/49/6/2030/5892419 Additional References and Resources https://www.huffpost.com/entry/queer-youth-religion-suicide-study_n_5ad4f7b3e4b077c89ceb9774 https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ending-conversion-therapy/ https://glaad.org/conversiontherapy/ https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy https://www.huffpost.com/entry/faith-leaders-lgbtq-conversion-therapy-ban_n_5fda6074c5b650b99ad93787 https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/conversion-therapy-pray-away/ https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-56496423 https://web.archive.org/web/20230405193059/https://exodusinternational.org/2013/06/i-am-sorry/ https://youtu.be/Ea10c6VXVx8?si=VebC4DTN9m37bkwD&t=197 https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Policy_Statements/2018/Conversion_Therapy.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_therapy All quotes edited for clarity and brevity, and red by descript not the original authors.