What are conversion practices?

Any action that tries to change, 'cure' or suppress a person's sexual orientation and/or gender identity through medical, psychiatric, psychological, religious, cultural or any other intervention. Conversion practices are rooted in discriminatory beliefs that LGBT+ identities are inferior, wrong and in need of correction. These widely discredited practices are abusive and can cause profound and lasting harm to victims and survivors. They may be perpetrated by family members, community members or groups, religious leaders or organisations, health workers, counsellors/therapists, or other practitioners in the 'well-being space'.

Why have you moved away from saying conversion therapy or so-called 'conversion therapy'?

We use conversion practices to more accurately reflect the wide scope of these acts and to reject the false idea that these actions are medical or therapeutic.

Are conversion practices still happening in the UK?

Research from the UK Government and specialist services like Galop have conclusively found that conversion practices are still happening up and down the country to LGBT+ people of all ages. In a sample of Galop's conversion practice cases, our frontline services found that almost two-thirds (68%) were current, recent, or ongoing.

Conversion practices are not limited to camps, ceremonies or one-off events (which do take place in the UK). Attempts to change someone's sexual orientation and/or gender identity can happen in many different settings and circumstances.

What do conversion practices look like today?

Conversion practices can take many forms, including: coercive control, religious practices, physical violence and abuse, psycho-medical practices, deprivation of autonomy & basic necessities, and sexual violence. Whatever form conversion practices take, they all share one harmful goal: to change a person's sexual orientation and/or gender identity.