By: Solange Gosselin
Things have been looking up for the gays of late, with a wave of movements in support of the LGBT community and with over thirty states having legalized same-sex marriage. But if you think that oppressions and injustices don’t still plague those whose sexual identities deviate from the social norm, think again. The story of Leelah Alcorn, the transgender teen who committed suicide because her mom took her to Christian therapists who told her she was selfish and wrong that she should look to God for help, has dominated social media for more than a week.
Perhaps the most horrible, detrimental ordeal that many young gays and transgenders are subjected to is conversion therapy. Aimed at changing one’s sexual orientation, conversion therapy, or “reparative therapy”, has been proven to be disastrous to the emotional and psychological health of many of the teens and young adults who have experienced it. It is not known if this type of therapy was what Alcorn’s mother wanted, but it’s not far off. And yet, in spite of the fact that various credited scientists and psychologists have condemned the practice, it is still going on all around the country today.
Different methods and techniques of conversion therapy have been used for centuries- fruitless attempts at fixing the gay “problem”. Though many of today’s practices aren’t quite as intense as those used in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, some of the methods that individuals are subjected to are appalling. Among these atrocities are exorcisms (yes, they do occur outside the genre of horror films) and electroconvulsive therapy. The latter consists of showing the patient homosexual images while simultaneously electrocuting them in order to cause them to associate any homosexual thoughts or desires with pain. Seizures and memory loss are not uncommon side effects. With techniques like these, it’s easy to see why conversion therapy causes such damage to lives. More common than these extremities is talk therapy. In many instances, a conversion therapist will simply use verbal communication in an effort to banish any traces of homosexuality from a person. But don’t be fooled—though this seems less harmful than an exorcism or electrocution, it has a profound impact on mental health.
Gabriel Arana, in a piece entitled “My So-Called Ex-Gay Life”, talks about the effect that conversion therapy had on him. Beginning his treatment in freshmen year of high school, Arana was exposed to talk-therapy with highly acclaimed psychologist Dr. Nicolosi, who was, at the time, the leader of the largest organization of ex-gay therapists in the United States. He continued to have sessions with the therapist for several years before leaving for Yale. Though Arana was very trusting in Nicolosi and his theories and did not believe that his therapist intended to hurt him in any way throughout his time in treatment, the damage of conversion therapy had been done without the young man realizing it. The ideas that Nicolosi had implanted in Arana’s mind had manifested themselves, taking their toll. Reparative therapy had completely altered the way he saw himself, making him believe that he was “a leper with no hope for a cure”. His depression worsened until the college sophomore reached a breaking point that culminated in extreme suicidal thoughts and his hospitalization. It took years of counseling following this incident to repair the damage that conversion therapy had caused. And sadly, Gabriel Arana is just one of many victims of the practice.
Those who have been subjected to conversion therapy have highly increased rates of drug use, sexually transmitted diseases, depression, and suicide. Samuel Brinton’s story is one that is particularly heart wrenching. Having endured physical methods of reparative therapy, such as freezing, burning, and electrocution, as well as abuse in the home, Brinton saw suicide as the only way to escape the hellish life he was living. Though he fortunately reconsidered, many others have, because of conversion therapy, suffered the fate that Brinton narrowly escaped.
In spite of these eye-opening stories and facts, reparative therapy is still legal in forty-eight states, with only California and New Jersey having banned the practice of it on minors. Fourteen states have introduced legislation, though it has been rejected in six of them, including New York State.
The Texas Republicans, having adopted the issue of conversion therapy into their political platform, stated that “[They] recognize the legitimacy and efficacy of counseling, which offers reparative therapy and treatment for those patients seeking healing and wholeness from their homosexual lifestyle. No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy.” But where is the scientific evidence to support the “legitimacy and efficacy of counseling”? The only scientific evidence that I’ve heard on the subject shows how harmful the process can be. And, with accounts like Brinton’s and Arana’s, it is a wonder that these republicans can see any benefits that come out of this therapy. In June of 2014, president of the conservative Texas Eagle Forum, Cathie Adams, wrote in an email that “Nothing is mandatory…If a person chooses counseling, then it should be made available. California and New Jersey have passed bills outlawing it altogether, which is under litigation. It’s a freedom issue.” A freedom issue? The real freedom issue is that these kids are being forced to change their identities. And regarding a person’s choice to be counseled: it is usually the parent of a gay teen, not the teen themselves, who seeks conversion therapy for their child. Conversion therapy preys on uncertain, confused parents who believe that this is the best option for their son or daughter, and the child suffers the consequences.
Though there is resistance to the attempts to end reparative therapy, it is met with equal verve from the opposing side. In June, 2014, the National Center for Lesbian Rights launched a campaign to end conversion therapy in five years. Under the name of #BornPerfect, the campaign hopes to achieve their goal by passing laws across the United States that ensure no other young lives are destroyed through conversion therapy. Individuals like Brinton and Arana, who have experienced and survived the devastation of conversion therapy, will share their stories to let the country know that this practice must end. This movement is a huge step in the right direction, but is it enough?
Not everyone will be accepting of the gay community. Those who see homosexuality as a sin should not be forced into changing their beliefs or opinions, for they are entitled to their own thoughts and convictions. If we tried to force change upon them, we would be no better than those who, through conversion therapy, try to change LGBT teenagers into people who they were never meant to be.
I see little problem with the conservatives who do not endorse the gays, yet keep their opinions to themselves. I do, however, see a problem with those who try to force an adolescent to change who they are through practices that can leave severe psychological scars for years to follow. Sexuality, unlike biases and prejudices, is not a choice.
Instead of making somebody change a part of themselves over which they have no control, maybe everyone could try to be a little bit more compassionate. Instead of creating a sense of inadequacy and insecurity in teens who are gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual, maybe everyone could try to lift them up and make them feel more confident in who they are.
Until the day when each and every person can be their true self without feeling ashamed or trying to hide or change who they really are, the fight has to continue.
