Conversion therapy: a poisonous legacy threatening to revive itself
The US Supreme Court is about to render its verdict on whether conversion therapy, a discredited practice aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation from gay to straight, infringes upon constitutionally protected free speech. The high-stakes case has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community, leaving anguished survivors fearing for their lives.
Conceived in the 1950s by psychoanalysts seeking to "cure" homosexuality as a mental illness, conversion therapy was widely discredited decades ago. Yet, despite mounting evidence that it doesn't work and is potentially devastating for minors, some are now advocating for its reinstatement.
Studies have shown that youth subjected to conversion practices are at risk of depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and even suicidal thoughts. National mental health associations recommend prohibiting the practice due to its fundamentally homophobic assumptions about diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
Twenty-three US states have already banned conversion therapy for minors. The Movement Advancement Project reports these efforts as a necessary step to protect vulnerable young people from this toxic practice.
However, the Trump administration appears determined to revive conversion therapy, with a Department of Health and Human Services report suggesting that it might be effective in changing an individual's sexual orientation.
Critics argue that this stance ignores decades of scientific research demonstrating that conversion therapy is not only ineffective but also damaging. As former patients themselves attest, being subjected to such treatment can have lasting effects on mental health and well-being.
The US Supreme Court's decision will not only impact the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals but also set a precedent for future challenges to civil rights protections. The outcome raises concerns about how far this administration is willing to go in its assault on marginalized communities, including immigrants, women, disabled individuals, African Americans, and more.
As Ben Franklin once said, "We must all hang together or we will all hang separately." In the face of such hostility, it's crucial for communities to come together to resist these attacks and advocate for justice, equality, and human rights.
The US Supreme Court is about to render its verdict on whether conversion therapy, a discredited practice aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation from gay to straight, infringes upon constitutionally protected free speech. The high-stakes case has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community, leaving anguished survivors fearing for their lives.
Conceived in the 1950s by psychoanalysts seeking to "cure" homosexuality as a mental illness, conversion therapy was widely discredited decades ago. Yet, despite mounting evidence that it doesn't work and is potentially devastating for minors, some are now advocating for its reinstatement.
Studies have shown that youth subjected to conversion practices are at risk of depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and even suicidal thoughts. National mental health associations recommend prohibiting the practice due to its fundamentally homophobic assumptions about diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
Twenty-three US states have already banned conversion therapy for minors. The Movement Advancement Project reports these efforts as a necessary step to protect vulnerable young people from this toxic practice.
However, the Trump administration appears determined to revive conversion therapy, with a Department of Health and Human Services report suggesting that it might be effective in changing an individual's sexual orientation.
Critics argue that this stance ignores decades of scientific research demonstrating that conversion therapy is not only ineffective but also damaging. As former patients themselves attest, being subjected to such treatment can have lasting effects on mental health and well-being.
The US Supreme Court's decision will not only impact the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals but also set a precedent for future challenges to civil rights protections. The outcome raises concerns about how far this administration is willing to go in its assault on marginalized communities, including immigrants, women, disabled individuals, African Americans, and more.
As Ben Franklin once said, "We must all hang together or we will all hang separately." In the face of such hostility, it's crucial for communities to come together to resist these attacks and advocate for justice, equality, and human rights.
this is so messed up what's next they're gonna try to 'cure' us of our love for pizza too lol no seriously though conversion therapy is like, super toxic and has been debunked like a million times its not about free speech it's about people being harmed by these practices and the fact that some states are trying to bring them back is just heartbreaking
... The fact that some people still think conversion therapy can be effective is just mind-boggling. Like, we've known for decades that it's not only ineffective but also super damaging to mental health. And now the Trump admin is trying to revive it? It's like they're trying to go against everything progress has taught us about LGBTQ+ rights 
.
. Can't we just accept each other for who we are without trying to "fix" us? It's like, hello, love and acceptance are the best cures! 
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. i mean, 23 states have already banned it and thats not enough apparently 
. i remember reading about this practice in school history class, how psychoanalysts thought it could 'cure' gay ppl back in the 50s 
. now its being pushed as a viable option by the trump admin? are they blind to the science? 
. im so worried for the young ppl who might get caught up in this toxic practice 
. we need to be vocal and stand with the lgbtq+ community on this one 
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. I mean, who thought that trying to change someone's sexual orientation was a good idea? It's like we're still living in the 1950s or something 
. The fact that some people are still advocating for it is just mind-boggling.
. Let's keep pushing forward, even when it gets tough. We got this! 
read more about it here: 
... You can't separate the personal from the political 
... We need to stand together and support each other in this fight against intolerance and discrimination 
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. We've learned so much about mental health and the importance of acceptance, love, and support 
. I'm so grateful for the progress we've made towards equality and justice, but it's clear that there are still many battles ahead 
. We need to stand together with love, kindness, and compassion 
they've been more interested in corporate profits than public health for years. conversion therapy is a disgusting relic of the past and should stay that way. 
Don't they care about all those kids who've already been through this trauma? It's like, 23 states have banned it for minors already - why do we need the Supreme Court to decide on this one? Can't we just have some common sense here? 
This is a super worrying situation 
. We can't have a government that's so out of touch with the facts and evidence on human rights and mental health 
but seriously the harm it can do to minors is REAL anxiety depression suicidal thoughts...it's not even worth talking about 
as if we didn't already know conversion therapy is toxic some states are banning it already 
conversion therapy is literally a form of psychological torture and its not like it was ever even proven to work in the first place 
it's insane that some people still think it can 'cure' gay ppl of being gay 
23 states have already banned it for minors which is a huge step forward 
. And let's be real, if 23 states have already banned it for minors, what's next? Are we gonna start telling adults what they can and can't do with their own bodies? That's just not how freedom works 