Education

Information and Resources

‘Conversion therapy’ does not always look the same. It can take a number of different forms and show up in many different places. For this reason, we think of ‘conversion therapy’ as any practice—which could include prayer or ‘talk therapy’ or workshops, among many others —that starts with an assumption that being Two-Spirit*, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (2S/LGBTQ) is bad, wrong, or just unwanted. 

We created this page for survivors of ‘conversion therapy,’ as well as those who experienced anti-2S/LGBTQ practices and aren’t sure whether it was ‘conversion therapy’ or not. You may also have ‘conversion therapy’ survivors in your life, and reading the information on this page could help you better support them.

What is Conversion Therapy?

Conversion therapy is a discredited and harmful practice that aims to change an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It is often based on the belief that being LGBTQ+ is a mental illness or a sin that can and should be cured.

Conversion therapy can take many forms, including talk therapy, aversion therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some conversion therapy practices involve subjecting individuals to extreme or abusive measures, such as physical or emotional violence, in an attempt to force them to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Why is Conversion Therapy Harmful?

Conversion therapy is widely recognized as a harmful and unethical practice by leading medical and mental health organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the Canadian Psychological Association. Research has shown that conversion therapy can cause significant harm, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation.

Furthermore, conversion therapy is often based on harmful stereotypes and misinformation about LGBTQ+ people, which can lead to increased stigma and discrimination. Conversion therapy can also lead to a sense of shame, self-hatred, and trauma in the individuals subjected to it.

Is Conversion Therapy Legal in Canada?

Conversion therapy is illegal in Canada. In 2020, the Canadian government passed a bill to criminalize conversion therapy, making it a punishable offense to subject someone to conversion therapy or to force someone to undergo conversion therapy against their will.

However, it’s important to note that some religious or conservative organizations may continue to promote conversion therapy or offer related services. It’s important for individuals to seek support from qualified mental health professionals and organizations that are LGBTQ+ affirming and supportive.

If you or someone you know has been subjected to conversion therapy, it’s important to seek support from qualified mental health professionals and organizations that are LGBTQ+ affirming and supportive.

The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386) – https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

The 519 (416-392-6874) – https://www.the519.org/

PFLAG Canada (1-888-530-6777) – https://pflagcanada.ca/

Egale Canada (613-680-1622) – https://egale.ca/

SOGIC (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community) – https://www.sogic.caj/

LGBT Youth Line (1-800-268-9688) – https://www.youthline.ca/

Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity – https://ccgsd-ccdgs.org/

Rainbow Health Ontario – https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/

Gender Spectrum – https://www.genderspectrum.org/

Trans Lifeline (1-877-330-6366) – https://www.translifeline.org/

C. T. Survivors Connect – https://www.ctsurvivorsconnect.org/

Findings from the SOGIECE Survivor Support Project

In 2021-22, Jordan Sullivan led a national project to develop support systems for Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ people in Canada who have been harmed by the expectations of change or denial efforts. His team surveyed and interviewed hundreds of ‘conversion therapy’ survivors, in order to better understand how we can support the healing and recovery process.

Support Across Canada

Resource Links for Queer Support

British Columbia:

Alberta:

Saskatchewan:

Manitoba:

Ontario:

Quebec:

New Brunswick:

Nova Scotia:

Prince Edward Island:

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Yukon:

Northwest Territories:

Nunavut:

**Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and there may be other resources available in your area. It’s important to seek out professional mental health support if you are a survivor of conversion therapy, as it can have long-lasting impacts on mental health and well-being.**

Survivor-led support groups

We are aware of the following support groups currently meeting in North America. Please let us know if you have others to add to this list.

CT Survivors Connect (Canada):

Join us!

August:

Online Support Group: Aug 19 https://fb.me/e/5qNf3ViVT

In-Person Group: Aug 07 and Aug 21 https://fb.me/e/3Ouo0hmOy & https://fb.me/e/3C9dE8ob5

September:

Online Support Group:  Sept 16 https://fb.me/e/29is1CvYe

In-Person Group: Sept 04 and Sept 18: https://fb.me/e/5pF3EJDB1 & https://fb.me/e/2oaOc96gG

October:

Online Support Group: Oct 21https://fb.me/e/39feJieNk

In-Person Group: Oct 02 and Oct 16 https://fb.me/e/3ChZqCNP9 & https://fb.me/e/29wocKt7b

November:

Online Support Group: Nov 18 https://fb.me/e/5dpu9FYXf

In-Person Group: Nov 06 and Nov 20 https://fb.me/e/6eMxAig3G & https://fb.me/e/a6e0epUEn

December:

Online Support Group: Dec 16 https://fb.me/e/7A2EUfUtD

In-Person Group: Dec 04 and Dec 18 https://fb.me/e/23n5GcRkJ & https://fb.me/e/DxuKgLk7H

Want to join us in person?

We have in person meetings the first and third Wednesday of every month, located at Rideau Heights Community Center, Kingston, ON

Conversion Therapy Dropout Network (US-based but open to folks from Canada): https://www.conversiontherapydropout.org/CT Survivors (US & Canada): ​​https://ctsurvivors.org/

Canadian ‘conversion therapy’ research

What is the scope & nature of ‘conversion therapy’ in Canada?: results from interviews with 22 survivors (2020):

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/07067437211030498

How many people in Canada have experienced ‘conversion therapy’?: results from a national survey with over 9,000 people (2019-20): https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0252539 

For more information, visit the Community-Based Research Centre ‘conversion therapy’/SOGIECE page: https://www.cbrc.net/conversion_therapy_sogiece

Still looking for more information?

Check out these additional articles and reports that may help you better understand ‘conversion therapy,’ its harms, and how to support survivors as they heal.

“Supporting Survivors of Conversion Therapy”, Reilla Archibald, MindMapBC (Canada): https://www.mindmapbc.ca/articles/supporting-survivors-of-conversion-therapy/ 

“Ending conversion therapy in Canada: Survivors, community leaders, researchers, and allies address the current and future states of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression change efforts”, Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity (Canada): https://www.cgshe.ca/sogiece/ 

UnErased Podcast, Radiolab NYC (USA): https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/unerased-davidson-gay-cure 

W5: Undercover investigation into conversion therapy in Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc-I2EdbQiM 

SOGIECE Survivor Statement (Australia): http://socesurvivors.com.au/ 

The Brave Network (Australia): https://thebravenetwork.org/ 

Acknowledgments

This page was compiled with generous feedback from:

Reilla Archibald

Jordan Sullivan

Ben Rodgers

Elisabeth Dromer

Nick Schiavo

Travis Salway

We are grateful for financial support from the Community-Engaged Research Initiative at Simon Fraser University.