What is Conversion Therapy exactly?

The term ‘conversion therapy’ has been coined by activists but not clearly defined – so the rest of us are left trying to work out what it actually means. There’s also very little evidence that any wide-spread ‘conversion therapy’ is even taking place in New Zealand.

So we are left wondering “What exactly is Conversion Therapy, and is this even taking place in New Zealand?” Is conversion therapy something coercive, brutal and sinister; or is it just a name given to professional counselling that is voluntarily requested by a consenting adult? If the Government finds it difficult to clarify the practice, then how can any new law banning this be anything other than dangerously problematic?

If ‘conversion therapy’ means practices which are coercive, abusive or involuntary, or includes things like electric shock therapy or ‘anti-gay boot camps’, then we can all agree such things are inhumane and must be condemned. These types of ‘therapy’ should not be part of any community, let alone a faith-based one. Therapy or counselling should never be forced on anyone. Sadly, in the past, many state institutions sanctioned inhumane treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), being stripped naked
and being locked in a small room, massive doses of medication, lobotomies and screaming patients chained to chairs. Fortunately, these are not part of current practice and certainly not part of any religious organisation.

However, banning ‘conversion therapy’ has been expanded to mean stopping someone who experiences unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria from getting counselling or support of any sort that they may themselves desire. Participation in psychological assessments, counselling sessions, prayer meetings and other therapeutic practices is almost always an expression of voluntary behaviour and personal freedom.

Banning practices which could bring about positive change for people in pain, changes they genuinely desire for themselves, is the real crime.