Great news. Also I really wish “conversion therapy” weren’t the widely accepted name for this because “therapy” gives the practice a general impression of being positive, restorative, and...
Great news.
Also I really wish “conversion therapy” weren’t the widely accepted name for this because “therapy” gives the practice a general impression of being positive, restorative, and potentially even science-based. I’d rather it be something like “coercive conversion”, which I feel puts it in a more accurate and appropriately negative light.
The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights' report on the subject, which was mentioned in the article, took similar issue with the terminology. And here's the full report, titled...
The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights' report on the subject, which was mentioned in the article, took similar issue with the terminology.
Summary
The word "therapy", derived from the Greek, denotes "healing". However, practices of conversion therapy are just the opposite: they inflict severe pain and suffering, resulting in long-lasting psychological and physical damage, the Independent Expert concludes in his report.
He also notes that these practices are inherently degrading and discriminatory. They are rooted in the belief that LGBT persons are somehow inferior, and that they must at any cost modify their orientation or identity to remedy that supposed inferiority. He highlights that such practices constitute an egregious violation of rights to bodily autonomy, health, and free expression of one’s sexual orientation and gender identity. When conducted forcibly, they also represent a breach to the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment.
The Independent Expert calls for a global ban on conversion therapy. This process would need to include:
Clearly defining the prohibited practices
Ensuring public funds are not used to support them
Banning advertisements
Prohibiting such interventions in health-care, religious, education, community, commercial or any other setting—public or private
Establishing punishments for non-compliance, and investigate respective claims
Creating mechanisms to provide access to all forms of reparations to victims
MPs voted to fast track Bill C-4 on Wednesday afternoon. The Commons erupted in applause after the vote and several Liberal cabinet ministers walked across the floor to shake hands with and — in some cases — hug their Conservative counterparts.
Great news.
Also I really wish “conversion therapy” weren’t the widely accepted name for this because “therapy” gives the practice a general impression of being positive, restorative, and potentially even science-based. I’d rather it be something like “coercive conversion”, which I feel puts it in a more accurate and appropriately negative light.
The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights' report on the subject, which was mentioned in the article, took similar issue with the terminology.
And here's the full report, titled Practices of so-called “conversion therapy”, for those who want to read it.
p.s. I was even tempted to add "torture" to the tags for this post for the same reasons mentioned in the report.
Update: The federal government's updated bill to ban the practice of conversion therapy has been adopted unanimously by the House of Commons