Conversion ‘therapy’ (CT) is the most popular term used to describe the practice of attempting to change from homosexual to heterosexual within religious contexts. Some, even in the media, are confused about what gay conversion ‘therapy’ or ‘conversion therapy’ actually is. The term is being increasingly misused. You’ll see below how terms have evolved over the last four decades. First of all, it’s important to know what we are NOT talking about.

When talking about conversion ‘therapy’ we are NOT talking about:

1. Camps where people are tortured or starved

what is gay conversion therapy

The above picture has appeared regularly on the internet since 2013. This tragedy was not the result of a specific CT program, however, but a three-month military-style course run by Alex de Koker’s Echo Wild Game Rangers in the bush an hour south of Johannesburg. Unfortunately journalists, who are either lacking integrity or poorly researched, use it from time to time to accompany articles on CT. This, of course plays right into the hands of religious CT advocates because they can immediately deny ever using starvation and torture tactics. I have spoken with literally 1,000’s of ex-gay survivors since 2000 and only one of those had the extreme experience of being beaten (by his uncle in a Christian cult).

2. Electric shock treatment to the brain

3. Aversion therapy when people are shown homoerotic images whilst at the same time being given electric shocks or vomit-inducing drugs.

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Although all of the above methods have been used — and in some parts of the world are still used — in attempts to change gay people into being straight, they are not the forms of conversion therapy currently targeted for prohibition in Western countries. In the Western context, conversion therapy most commonly operates within fundamentalist, evangelical, charismatic, and Pentecostal expressions of Christianity, though it is not confined only to these traditions..

Conversion ‘therapy’ (CT) is a relatively new term.

Originally, the term ‘ex-gay’ was coined by the founders of Exodus in 1976. Then the term ‘reparative therapy’ was introduced. Next people spoke about ‘unwanted same-sex-attraction’ (Read the evolution of terminology here).

Of recent times fancy terms have been introduced  such as ‘Sexual Attraction Fluidity Exploration in Therapy’ (SAFE-T) by the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity (formerly NARTH) in 2016 and ‘Sexual Identity Affirming Therapy’ by Christopher Doyle from Voice of the Voiceless.

This change in terms is interesting in itself, as it reflects not only the evolution of the ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapy movement but also who is in control of the conversation.

conversion therapy

The fact that the most popular term is now ‘conversion therapy’ demonstrates that we are now in control of the conversation as those who are pro the ‘change is possible’ message would never use that wording. These terms are used in a derogatory sense, which is why ex-gay practitioners and believers have changed even from ex-gay to the fancier terms mentioned above.

What is Conversion ‘Therapy’?

CT is a religiously based attempt to change or overcome a person’s same-sex-orientation. It is based on the belief that homosexuality is:

  • sin
  • resulting from a dysfunctional upbringing or sexual abuse
  • unnatural/abnormal
  • a choice

People distressed about their sexual orientation or gender identity can experience CT by:

  • one-on-one counselling with a pastor, church leader or Christian counsellor
  • personal prayer and faith believing for change and deliverance
  • inner healing, believing that being gay means you are broken from past experiences, that God can heal.
  • support groups where people share their struggles and pray and support one another
  • exorcisms, believing that homosexuality is a demonic force that needs to be cast out in order for the individual to be free
  • masculinisation/feminisation attempts to make the individual more like a ‘real’ man or woman
  • online courses and forums, like the support groups (extremely dangerous)

PLEASE NOTE: These conversion practices have not been used only on gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals but also transgender and gender diverse individuals.

The above is a part of the presentation #TheQuestToCureQueers

To find out more about GCT, go to our page on the topic HERE.

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