Community Image - Worldwide Banning Gay Conversion Therapy

6.9% or 16 countries have nationwide bans in place concerning Gay Conversion Therapy

 

Individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and all groups with non-traditional gender and sexual identities, collectively known as the LGBTQIA+ community, were historically viewed as having a mental illness or making a conscious choice in thinking or feeling the way they do. With research and greater understanding, the world now recognises that individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ are not doing so by choice. Instead, it is a chemical or physical reaction that cannot be changed. Gay Conversion Therapy was developed when LGBTQIA+ identities were classified as an illness, and often brutal, so-called therapies were applied, hoping to change a person into becoming heterosexual or cis-gendered.

 

Medical science and numerous national psychiatric associations have condemned the use of Gay Conversion Therapy. Many stating that the therapy is ineffective in changing how a person identifies. The Banning Gay Conversion Therapy index looks at all countries worldwide and those that have outlawed or banned Gay Conversion Therapies

Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Equality Index

30%

of countries score high or very high

Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Dollar

$1.4 trillion
added to the world economy

Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Population

212.3 million
people living within communities across the globe

Worldwide Same-Sex Unions or Marriages

31.3%
73 countries recognise same-sex unions or marriages

Worldwide Legal Gender Recognition

42.10%
98 countries legally recognise gender identities

Worldwide Gay Conversion Therapy

6.9%

or 16 countries have laws banning Gay Conversion Therapy

Discover the status of gay conversion therapy in any given country…
Gayther Dropdown – Gay Conversion Therapy (500px)

  2024 SUMMARY

Gayther Banning Gay Conversion Index - 2024 Statistics
KEY FACTS
  • 8.2% or 17.4 million individuals from the global LGBTQIA+ community live now in countries in which Gay Conversion Therapy is banned
  • Iran and Malaysia have made Gay Conversion Therapy not only Legal but it is also made it approved by the state
  • 11 of the 16 countries that have nationwide bans concerning Gay Conversion Therapy have a status of Very High within the 2023 Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Equality Index

GAY CONVERSION THERAPY OVERVIEW

  • 7% or 16 countries have nationwide bans in place concerning Gay Conversion Therapy
  • Europe has six countries that have introduced nationwide bans on Gay conversion therapy, making it the highest, followed by the Americas with five
  • 91.8% or 194.9 million individuals from the global LGBTQIA+ community live in countries in which Gay Conversion Therapy is not banned
  • 8.2% or 17.4 million individuals from the global LGBTQIA+ community live now in countries in which Gay Conversion Therapy is banned
  • Iran and Malaysia have legalised Gay Conversion Therapy Legal and made it state-approved. An estimated 3.3 million LGBTQIA+ individuals living in those countries are now subject to the therapy and subsequent treatments
  • 11 of the 16 countries that have nationwide bans concerning Gay Conversion Therapy have a status of Very High within the 2023 Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Equality Index
  • 4 of the 16 countries that have nationwide bans relating to Gay Conversion Therapy have a status of Medium within the 2023 Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Equality Index
  • Some countries such as Australia, China, Spain and the United States of America either have bans in specific states, regions or provinces or cases are reviewed on a case-by-case basis; there currently are no nationwide laws making the practice a crime in those countries

Developments from the previous year

  • Canada implemented a ban on conversion therapy in 2022, and New Zeland passed a law that banned gay conversion therapy on minors (those under 18) and people where it could cause serious harm
  • Both India and Israel’s health bodies have declared that any medical professional carrying out gay conversion therapies would be deemed professional misconduct, and those offenders would be subject to disciplinary action

EXCEPTIONAL AND DIVERSE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY

Learn more about the exceptional and diverse global LGBTQIA+ community. Discover interesting facts, join in the fun with interactive games, learn more about the exceptional pioneers and advocates and take pride in all of the sexualities, gender identities and special groups. Discover all things LGBTQIA+ with Gayther today

  INTERACTIVE MAP

click here  Click on a specific country within the map to find out the legal status of Gay Conversion Therapy

TAKING PRIDE IN YOU

Acceptance and coming to terms with a part of what makes you can be challenging for many people. The Gayther pride in series is about celebrating all things relating to sexualities, gender identities and special groups. Showcasing the exceptional people, interesting facts and ways to connect with those unique communities, all designed to help and promote pride in LGBTQIA+ identities

  ABOUT GAY CONVERSION THERAPY

Gayther Community - About Equality Index
Before the 1970s, many psychiatrists and medical professionals treated homosexuality and transgender as mental illnesses. In addition to the medical communities, many religious denominations have treated LGBTQIA+ identities as a sin over the centuries. Many believe that prayer and guidance could help individuals change how they think and feel. Individuals such as Havelock Ellis and Alfred Kinsey researched sexuality. Their work helped lay the foundation for further understanding of sex or gender and the reclassification of LGBTQIA+ identities.

For years, psychiatrists, religious leaders and therapy practitioners would adopt various methods to convert LGBTQIA+ individuals. Nazi scientists during world war two were known for experimenting on gay and lesbian prisoners, often torturing and applying psychological warfare to see how they would react. Treatments such as lobotomies, severing connections in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, chemical castrations and aversion therapies were all the various methods used by practitioners. Treatments such as aversion therapy or conditioning are still used today, with practitioners applying electric shock, drugs, the use of sexually erotic images, and the power of suggestion.

Even with all those extreme and barbaric practices, most of those undergoing the therapy suffered brain damage or still identified as LGBTQIA+ after the so-called treatment. Though there are extreme cases relating to Gay Conversion Therapy, some groups often apply less drastic measures, especially the religious groups carrying out the therapy. Many typically use prayer, group therapy and materials designed to reprogramme or re-educate the recipients. Regardless of the approach and the low number of success cases, Gay Conversion Therapy still treats LGBTQIA+ as a mental disease, one that can be cured.

Many of those that undertake Gay Conversion Therapy will be young, typically receiving therapy after puberty from ages 13 to 21—undergoing treatment when they begin to realise or identify as LGBTQIA+. Most are afraid, scared of being different and fearful that they will be rejected by their families or loved ones. With many considered young adults or minors, the parents or guardians often provide consent for their child or a child in their ward to undergo therapy. With modern medical science and understanding, it is clear why these types of treatments fail, as it works on the belief that the person is making a choice. The only decision for those undertaking the therapy is to deny, suppress, or hide who they are rather than changing how they honestly think or feel.

The Banning Gay Conversion Therapy looks at all countries worldwide and those that endorse, ban or allow the therapy to take place.

WHO DO YOU CALL IN AN EMERGENCY...

When we travel abroad, most of us will have fun and pleasant visits, often without any major problems or incidents. In the event something bad happens, knowing who to call quickly can be a matter of life and death. The Gayther Emergency Services tool features emergency numbers for every country worldwide. With three separate methods for finding emergency service information, as well, as quick dial buttons, getting help quickly can be fast and simple

  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Gayther Banning Conversion Therapy - Conversion Allowed

Why is Gay Conversion Therapy still allowed in the majority of countries worldwide?

As attitudes change and science understands more about sexuality and gender identities, many countries have changed how it sees and treats members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Historically, identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender was considered a choice the person was consciously making or even a mental illness. Believing that medical or religious intervention could help cure that person of their disease. With time came greater understanding and the fact that it is not a choice but a chemical and physical reaction, something that a person can learn to hide or suppress but never reverse or change. Many governments to date have been reluctant to impose a nationwide ban or introduce laws to criminalise the practice. Many of the institutions and figures performing the therapy hold power and influence within many countries around the world. For most nations, especially ones with a low LGBTQIA+ equality score, their lack of ban comes as no surprise; however, it is more the ones that, to date, score high or very high in terms of equality and still allow the practice to continue
Gayther  Banning Conversion Therapy - Science

Is there any science behind Gay Conversion Therapy?

NO – much of the therapy is based on stereotypes and religious judgement on often vulnerable and confused individuals. Historical treatments used within gay conversion therapy included lobotomies, severing connections in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, chemical castrations and aversion therapy. Treatments such as aversion therapy or conditioning are still used today, with practitioners applying electric shock, drugs, the use of sexually erotic images, and the power of suggestion. With the practitioner continually reinforcing their beliefs that same-sex acts are wrong. Though some practitioners claim success, only a small number of success cases are known, with many survivors speaking of the ordeal and how it was ineffective and brutal. It is important to note that many medical practitioners and national psychiatric associations worldwide condemn Gay conversion therapy
Gayther  Banning Conversion Therapy - Group Affected

Which age group are most affected by Gay Conversion Therapy?

There are no official reports; however, for many of the survivors, the average age ranges from 13 to 21, typically teenagers after reaching puberty. Many of those under 18 are often considered minors in most countries worldwide. Minors who are submitted to the therapy with parental consent and typically instigated by their parents

LGBTQIA+ COUNTRY & REGION GUIDES

With countries around the world treating members of the LGBTQIA+ community differently, planning an overseas trip can be challenging. With over 233 country and 435 regional guides, Gayther guides provide you with all the information you need when planning your trip. From LGBTQIA equality to essential travel information, discover Gayther guides today

  USEFUL PHRASES

Common phrases and terms in over 80 languages

Please select a country from the drop-down list to discover common phrases relating to gay conversion therapy

Gayther Useful Phrases - Gay Conversion (500px)
CONVERSION
AFFECT
COGNITION