A new study from The Lancet Psychiatry has uncovered some deeply troubling effects of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. It shows that people who go through this type of practice—especially when it targets both their sexual orientation and gender identity—face a much higher risk of mental health problems, including depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Let’s break down what this means in simpler terms.
What is Conversion Therapy?
Conversion therapy—also called conversion practice—is any attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It might involve religious counseling, mental health sessions, or other methods that aim to "fix" someone who is gay, bisexual, transgender, or gender non-conforming.
This practice has been widely condemned by medical professionals, but unfortunately, it still exists in many places.
What Did the Study Find?
Researchers surveyed 4,426 LGBTQ+ adults as part of The PRIDE Study, a long-term health study based in the U.S. Out of those:
- 149 people (3.4%) said they’d experienced conversion efforts aimed at changing their sexual orientation.
- 43 people (1%) said they'd been targeted because of their gender identity.
- 42 people (1%) went through conversion therapy targeting both.
Those who went through both types of conversion therapy had the worst mental health outcomes. They reported higher levels of depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts or attempts than anyone else in the study.
Even those who experienced only one type of conversion therapy had worse mental health than people who had never been subjected to it.
Who’s Affected the Most?
Transgender participants reported more severe symptoms overall, even if they didn’t undergo both forms of therapy. Meanwhile, cisgender people (those whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth) were more likely to report suicidal thoughts or attempts when exposed to both forms of conversion therapy.
Other groups who were more likely to be subjected to conversion practices included:
- Transgender individuals
- People who experienced homelessness
- Those with less access to education
- People from religious or non-affirming communities
- Individuals from racial or ethnic minority backgrounds
Who Is Behind These Practices?
The study also shed light on who is still carrying out conversion therapy:
- Religious leaders or organizations were the main source when it came to trying to change sexual orientation.
- Mental health care providers were more often responsible for efforts targeting gender identity.
That’s especially concerning, as it shows licensed professionals are still participating in these harmful practices.
Why This Matters
Even though many countries and states have banned conversion therapy, it’s still legal in large parts of the world, including the UK, parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and even some U.S. states.
The researchers say stronger national and local laws are needed, along with better education for families, mental health professionals, and faith leaders. They also stress the importance of support systems and targeted mental health care for survivors of conversion therapy.
As Dr. Nguyen Tran from Stanford University put it, “Our findings add to the growing evidence that conversion therapy is harmful and unethical. Protecting LGBTQ+ people requires both legal action and community support.”
The Bottom Line
Conversion therapy doesn’t work—and it’s dangerous. The latest research shows how deeply it can affect a person’s mental health, especially when aimed at both sexuality and gender identity.
If we want to support LGBTQ+ people in living healthy, authentic lives, it starts with banning harmful practices like this and offering real help instead.
Source: http://www.thelancet-press.com/embargo/conversionpractice.pdf
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