This shocking and still so true news is the result of a study conducted in October 2020 by the Gender Identity Research & Education Society, the LGBT Foundation, the Ozanne Foundation and Stonewall.
It is scary to read that 9 out of 10 trans and non-binary patients who were treated with conversion-therapies, have then experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression, but it is even worts to read that at least half of them have attempted suicide.
The research that you can read here, also found that gender identity conversion therapy is “more widespread and often more violent” than most people actually realise. These therapies too often force their “patients” to unwanted nudity, and include corrective rape, food and sleep deprivation, physical and verbal abuse, as part of the “cure”.
The research also shows as a large proportion of respondents came from Christian/Catholic backgrounds (51%), with the next largest group being those where “no religion” was practised (24%). Notably, there was a marked decline in the number of respondents who said they were still Christian/Catholic after the “therapy”, and a marked rise in the number who said they were either “atheist”, “spiritual but not religious” or had “no religion”.
What is the impact of GICT (Gender Identity Conversion Therapy) on patients?
The negative impact of GICT is clear. Those who have undergone GICT reported poor mental health outcomes, particularly around attempted suicide and suicidal thoughts. This is consistent with other research which shows that “conversion therapy” is gravely harmful.
A Bi woman who participated to the research said: “Attempting to change how I felt about my gender only made me hide it. The only thing it did change is my ability to trust others and maintain relationships. Most of my life I’ve been on my own and struggled with feelings of loneliness and with little hope of living a full life.”
Unfortunately, almost all indicators of poor mental health were higher among gender diverse people who had experienced GICT compared to those who had not, the research shows.
“Having gone through Gender Identity Conversion Therapy when I was younger, I can confidently say that it doesn’t work. It just resulted in 23 years of depression, alcoholism and suicidal thoughts, until I transitioned in 2011”, affirmed and interviewed Bi, gender diverse woman, aged 45-54.
Perception of GICT amongst people.
Not encouraging, we shall say, is the result of the research when it comes to the perception people have of “conversion therapy”.
If on a side we can see that both cis and gender diverse people were strongly in favour of banning gender-identity “conversion therapy”, with 89% of all responses thinking it should be banned, on the other se can see that some other people, still do not fully understand the harm of said treatment, as the below answer received for the research, shows:
“The current social contagion of ‘transing the gay away’ is a horrific conversion therapy for homosexuals and should be illegal. ‘Transitioning’ to ‘correct’ homosexuality is criminal.”
Eloise Stonborough, associate director of policy and research at Stonewall, on their website, said:
“The UK government must not leave these people out in the cold. We urge them to make good on their commitment to ban conversion therapy and ensure no more gender diverse people have to go through such damaging, demeaning and degrading practices.”
Remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
SUICIDE IS NEVER THE RIGHT CHOICE! If you are reading this and you feel you are experiencing mental troubles and you are thinking about suicide, please, get in touch with someone who can help!
Samaritans, for example, can be contacted at 116 123 in UK and Ireland, or send them an email to jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie – still if you are in the UK, please, do consider to get in touch with the Mental Care specialists of the NHS.
If you are from the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
YOUR LIFE MATTERS!
Main picture of this article is taken from Paola Paredes Photography: Woman locked up in a therapy clinic in Ecuador
