Editor's note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
Therapy. This word may evoke many different emotions depending on the context and situation.
Therapy can often be looked at as a positive method of improving one’s mental health. Unfortunately, conversion therapy twists the connotation of this word and instead creates a form of “treatment” that, unlike professional therapy, causes more harm than good.
Conversion therapy is a psychological, yet, religious, practice that works to influence and eventually alter a person’s sexual orientation through usually abusive or traumatizing means. Overall, it acts as a means of “curing” an individual of being gay.
One of the reasons conversion therapy is such a huge dilemma is because it thrives on the idea that homosexuality is a mental health issue rather than a normal preference.
It also perpetuates the idea that your sexual orientation is something that you choose and therefore, can be changed.
Though it may be 2019 and we’re entering a more progressive era, there are still some people who do not agree or support the LGBTQ+ community. This is especially the case for extremely religious individuals with children who are a part of this community.
Therefore, when a kid makes the decision to come out to their parents, some of them may look to conversion therapy in hopes of being able to change their child’s sexual orientation.
Because conversion therapy is not a professional form of treatment, there are no regulations and guidelines for what can be done during these sessions.
For this reason, many who are exposed to conversion therapy are expected to be “cured” by undergoing shock treatments or even participating in degrading and nonconsensual sexual acts.
Knowing the traumatic experiences that many go through while in conversion therapy, it comes as little shock that this takes a serious mental toll on those who are involved.
The Human Rights Campaign states that conversion therapy can lead to depression, drug use and in some extreme cases, suicide.
In fact, many who have undergone gay conversion therapy have needed actual therapy following their experience.
Conversion therapy is also linked to increased suicide rates among young gay individuals, according to The Trevor Project.
Unfortunately, religion still governs a lot of people’s thoughts on homosexuality, but someone who truly wants the best for their child would accept them with open arms and avoid putting them through something as emotionally damaging as conversion therapy.
Kids should be met with support and comfort when they decide to come out to their parents. Belittling a child’s emotions and writing off their sexuality as a mental illness or a phase is not only damaging to their psyche but also to their trust in the ones who are supposed to love them.
As an ally for the LGBTQ+ community and someone who is also religious, it’s important that I emphasize that it is possible to be both an advocate for the community and dedicated to your religion.
You can still be religious and love those around you, for who they are, without attempting to change them.
“Love thy neighbor” may resonate with many, but “love thy neighbor no matter who they love” resonates with all.
Courtesy of TheTrevorProject.org.
