We discuss the deeply flawed practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation.
Related Episodes:
8. Paul, Gay Marriage and Gender Pronouns
11. Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church and Some Are Committing Suicide
12. The Problems with Purity
13. When Is Sex Between Two Unmarried People God Honoring? (Seven rules for sex between unmarried people)
21. A Trans Christian's Quest for Authenticity
Movies Referenced:
Boy Erased: https://www.netflix.com/title/80240538
- Review quoted from The Jesuit Post: https://thejesuitpost.org/2018/11/boy-erased-conversion-therapy-and-the-catholic-church/
Pray Away: https://www.netflix.com/title/81040370
- Review quoted from Conscience Magazine: https://www.catholicsforchoice.org/resource-library/netflixs-pray-away-exposes-conversion-therapy-fraud/
Articles and Websites Quoted:
- The American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts
- The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/us/group-that-promoted-curing-gays-ceases-operations.html
- Time magazine: https://time.com/3065495/9-ex-leaders-of-the-gay-conversion-therapy-movement-apologize/
- The AMA calls for ban: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/american-medical-association-backs-nationwide-conversion-therapy-ban-n1088731
Statistics quoted:
- Alan Chambers quote, “99.9% have not experienced a change in their orientation” from: https://wthrockmorton.com/2012/01/09/alan-chambers-99-9-have-not-experienced-a-change-in-their-orientation/ or https://www.npr.org/2013/06/20/193965227/group-that-claimed-to-cure-gays-disbands-leader-apologizes
- Post conversion therapy suicide ideation rate of 28% from Statista https://www.statista.com/statistics/1053024/lgbtq-youth-in-us-attempted-suicide-conversion-therapy-experience/
- Trans children exposed to conversion therapy at a young age are four times more likely to report lifetime suicide attempts: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/transgender-conversion-therapy-associated-severe-psychological-distress-n1052416
Finding Affirming, Sex-Positive Counselors Who Do NOT Believe in Conversion Therapy:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/therapy-for-lgbt#organizations
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/california?category=gay (Find the LGBTQ Affirming pull-down or edit the URL and replace “California” with “Texas” or whatever state you’re in)
- https://www.choosingtherapy.com/finding-an-lgbtq-therapist/
- https://allintherapyclinic.com/how-to-find-an-lgbt-affirming-therapist/
- https://directory.choosingtherapy.com/
- https://lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org/
On-line therapy:
- https://www.choosingtherapy.com/best-lgbtq-online-therapy-options/
- https://www.talkspace.com/online-therapy/lgbtqia
Benefits of Church Attendance for Adults and Children:
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/regularly-attending-religious-services-associated-with-lower-risk-of-deaths-of-despair/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11302358/
- https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/49/6/2030/5892419
Additional References and Resources
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/queer-youth-religion-suicide-study_n_5ad4f7b3e4b077c89ceb9774
- https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ending-conversion-therapy/
- https://glaad.org/conversiontherapy/
- https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/faith-leaders-lgbtq-conversion-therapy-ban_n_5fda6074c5b650b99ad93787
- https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/conversion-therapy-pray-away/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-56496423
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230405193059/https://exodusinternational.org/2013/06/i-am-sorry/
- https://youtu.be/Ea10c6VXVx8?si=VebC4DTN9m37bkwD&t=197
- https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Policy_Statements/2018/Conversion_Therapy.aspx
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_therapy
All quotes edited for clarity and brevity, and red by descript not the original authors.