Conversion Therapy needs to stay illegal

 

A few years ago, conservatives celebrated the very disheartening decision from the United States Supreme Court that stripped away a woman’s right to choose.  Now the court is set to reinstate the controversial practice of conversion therapy for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and transgender youth.  This not only goes against the First and Fourteenth amendments of the United States Constitution but is a human rights violation according to the United Nations. No court should allow this torture disguised as “therapy” exist in a developed nation that prides itself on not only accepting but embracing its differences.

Conversion “therapy” is the barbaric idea that you could take an LGBT person and turn them straight by at best, talking to them or worst, using rubber band snapping, Chemical, or electrical stimuli (i.e. shock).  Various religious groups, who bastardized the Holy Bible, say this is an effective way to cure homosexuality, while human rights organizations call it for what it is, torture. There is no cure for homosexuality because homosexuality is not a disease.  Youth undergo years of “treatment” for something that science has proven is natural and is found in the animal kingdom. 

Scientific studies have definitely proven that homosexuality is present in 100 animal species from lions, dolphins, and even penguins.  Despite what religious scholars might have preached, same-sex attraction is as natural as opposite-sex attraction.   Meny animals have life-long partnerships and are very happy.

Youth who experience same-sex attractions are just as natural as those who experience opposite-sex attractions. The emotions of love, affection, and intimacy are fundamentally similar. While watching the movie "Boy Erased," which depicts the harsh realities of Conversion Therapy, I noticed that one rule the counselors tried to enforce was prohibiting any physical contact. This is to stop any positive feelings from said interactions.  Furthermore, it was revealed that these counselors were unlicensed and not qualified to diagnose and treat mental disorders.

This overwhelming evidence from the natural world combined with professionals with fudged credentials, further underscores the fact that sexual orientation is not a choice or something that needs to be "fixed." Attempts to change someone's inherent identity not only lack scientific basis but also inflict deep psychological harm. It is imperative for society to recognize and protect the dignity of all individuals, regardless of whom they love.

The free exercise of religion does not extend to telling a boy or a girl they are better off dead then having same-sex attractions.  Nobody is better off dead and those who have the audacity to tell that to a child or a teen should think about their own right to life.  These conservatives want to protect the lives of the “unborn” but as soon as they do not conform to their ideology, they want to throw them to the wolves.  This is wrong.

This contradiction exposes a troubling double standard at the heart of some political and religious rhetoric. The same individuals who advocate fiercely for the sanctity of life before birth often fail to extend that compassion and protection to living youth who need support and understanding. Instead of fostering environments where all young people can thrive, these attitudes perpetuate shame and isolation, causing lasting damage to vulnerable adolescents.

It is crucial to highlight that major medical and psychological organizations, such as the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association, have unequivocally condemned conversion therapy as both ineffective and harmful. These professional bodies emphasize that efforts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity can result in increased risk of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and even suicide among LGBTQ youth. By supporting such practices, society is not only ignoring scientific consensus but also perpetuating stigma and discrimination against a vulnerable population.

Whenever I hear about conversion therapy, I'm reminded of the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton, Massachusetts, where residents have endured inhumane treatment intended to "cure" autism. Individuals there have been subjected to painful electric shocks as punishment for behaviors linked to their disabilities. ADAPT, a nationwide grassroots disability rights group, has urged the Food and Drug Administration to stop this form of torture. No child should ever experience such treatment; all children, regardless of sexuality, gender identity, or disability, deserve to grow up with dignity and self-respect.

Conversion therapy actually violates both international law as well as the United States Constitution.  The fourteenth Amendment states clear as day “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”  The fact that conversion therapy often results in suicide deprives a person of life without due process of law. 

In conclusion I believe the Court has a duty to protect all children.  Furthermore, international organizations such as the United Nations have repeatedly called for the banning of conversion therapy globally, classifying it as a serious violation of human rights. Their reports highlight the long-term psychological and physical consequences suffered by survivors, including trauma, loss of self-esteem, and ongoing mental health struggles. These findings reinforce the urgent need for legislative action and public awareness to ensure the protection of LGBTQ individuals from harmful and outdated practices.

In conclusion, the Court has a profound responsibility to safeguard the rights and well-being of all children, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The overwhelming consensus from international organizations like the United Nations, as well as leading medical and psychological associations, is clear: conversion therapy is a grave violation of human rights with devastating and lasting effects on its victims. Survivors frequently endure trauma, diminished self-worth, and persistent mental health challenges as a result of these harmful practices. To truly protect vulnerable youth, it is essential for legislative bodies to take decisive action to ban conversion therapy, while society at large must work to foster understanding, acceptance, and respect for all individuals. Only by rejecting such outdated and damaging practices can we ensure a future where every child is afforded dignity, equality, and the opportunity to thrive.