FALL 2015
the mental abuse can be equally destructive. Psychological counseling to
change a person’s sexuality perpetuates
the idea that homosexuality is intrinsically immoral. Survivors of conversion
therapy, such as LGBT activist Sam
Brinton, testify to the horrific mental trauma that follows them forever.
The feelings of guilt, shame, humiliation, and failure that accompany the
reification of these destructive claims
more often than not lead to serious
mental and emotional consequences.
What’s more, after all this mental
and physical suffering, the transformation therapists claim to bring about
rarely, if ever, is actually achieved.
DOMESTIC
adults should be given written warnings before undergoing any treatment
so they can begin this controversial
therapy informed. Advertisements can
be found nationwide for conversion
therapy, that grossly ignore the potentially unfavorable outcomes. These
therapy practices are abundant and
easy to find, yet offer no warnings to
patients about the trauma and depression that may follow, specifically for
minors. It is time for national laws
to be put in place ensuring patients
and their loved ones are informed.
Medical professionals have a moral
and ethical obligation to advise patients to do what will be best for their
asserts conversion therapy is a violation of human rights and recommends
it should be banned worldwide. As an
international organization that strives
to protect human rights, the United
Nations appropriately felt conversion
therapy was detrimental enough to
advocate for on multiple occasions.
The United State’s current administration under President Barrack Obama
announced their support of the banning
of conversion therapy after the death
of a transgender teen, Leelah Alcorn.
Alcorn’s tragic suicide made front
pages after she made it clear that the
cause of her depression was the conversion therapy her parents forced her
Despite what advocates for conversion therapy claim, the practice is
decidedly unsafe for those involved. The therapy has no scientific claim
whatsoever nor does it have any legitimate benefits for patients.
Nowhere does credible scientific evidence exist that supports the possibility of altering a person’s sexuality. Despite the efforts of conversion
therapists, sexuality has not been successfully manipulated. Many former
leaders in conversion therapy have admitted their failure to alter anybody’s
sexuality. The inability to convert an
individual from homosexual to heterosexual reinforces the conclusion that
sexuality is inherent and not a choice.
Due to the combination of its proven detrimental effects and its ultimate
ineffectiveness, conversion therapy on
minors should be made illegal on a national level. Minors are too vulnerable
and easily impacted by traumatic experiences to be subjected to reparative
therapy. The likelihood of depre