Legality of conversion therapy

Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. As of December 2023, twenty-eight countries have bans on conversion therapy, fourteen of them ban the practice by any person: Belgium,^[1] Canada, Cyprus, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal and Spain; seven ban its practice by medical professionals only: Albania, Brazil, Chile, India, Israel, Taiwan and Vietnam; another seven, named Argentina, Fiji, Nauru, Paraguay, Samoa, Switzerland and Uruguay, have indirect bans in that diagnoses based solely on sexual orientation or gender identity are banned without specifically banning conversion therapy, this effectively amounts to a ban on health professionals since they would not generally engage in therapy without a diagnosis. In addition, some jurisdictions within Australia, the Philippines and the United States also ban conversion therapy.^{[citation needed]} In South Africa, the case law has found conversion therapy to be unlawful.^[2][3] Bills banning conversion therapy are being considered in Austria, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Poland,^[2] while bills restricting conversion therapy are being considered in Denmark, Italy, Japan, Sweden and Thailand.^{[citation needed]} At a supranational level, the European Union is considering banning conversion therapy across its Member States, while an ongoing citizens' initiative started collecting signatures in May 2024 also calling on the European Commission to outlaw such practices. ^[4][5]

Map of jurisdictions that have bans on sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts with minors as of September 2024.

  Criminal prohibition against conversion therapy on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

  Only medical professionals are banned from performing conversion therapy

  No ban on conversion therapy

Legal status by country

Country	Medical Treatment Banned	Criminal Penalties	Details
Albania	[a]		Practice by medical professionals banned: Albania's national psychological association banned its members from practising conversion therapy in 2020.[6]
Argentina	[b]		Diagnosis by medical professionals banned: Since 2010, no diagnosis can be made in the field of mental health on the exclusive basis of "sexual choice or identity".[7] The ban only applies to registered health professionals.
Australia			Banned in four states and the Capital Territory: Conversion therapy has been a criminal offence in Queensland since August 2020. Banned in Victoria since February 2021.[8] An Australian Capital Territory law banning conversion therapy went into effect on 4 March 2021.[9] New South Wales bans conversion therapy effective from April 2025.[10] South Australia banned conversion therapy in September 2024.[11] Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania have not introduced any bills to ban conversion therapy yet.[12]
Austria			Nationwide ban proposed: In July 2022, the Justice Ministry confirmed it was preparing a draft bill to ban conversion therapy, following unanimous motions of the National Council calling on it to do so.[13][14]
Belgium			Nationwide ban: On 20 July 2023, Parliament approved a law that bans conversion practices, defined as "any practice consisting of or including physical intervention or the application of psychological pressure, which the perpetrator or victim believes or claims is intended to repress or to alter a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, whether that characteristic is actually present or merely assumed by the perpetrator." Punishment range from imprisonment of 8 days to 2 years and/or a fine of 208 to 2400 euros, and a professional ban up to 5 years.[15]
Brazil	[a]		Practice by medical professionals banned: In 1999, the Federal Council of Psychology issued two provisions which state that "psychologists shall not collaborate in events or services offering treatment and cure for homosexuality", and that "psychologists will neither pronounce nor participate in public speeches, in the mass media, reinforcing social prejudice related to homosexuals as pursuing any kind of psychological disorder".[16] Brazil thus became the first country in the world to ban conversion therapy.[17] In 2013, the Commission for Human Rights of Brazil's lower house of Congress, headed by Marco Feliciano, an evangelical Christian preacher,[18] approved legislation that would nullify the council's provisions and legalize conversion therapy.[17] After strong public objection in the wave of the 2013 protests in Brazil, the bill was voted down by the National Congress.[19][20] In September 2017, a federal judge in Brasília approved the use of conversion therapy by a psychologist to "cure" people of homosexuality, overruling the 1999 decision.[21] However, in December 2017, the same judge changed his decision, keeping the "treatment" banned.[22] In January 2018, the Federal Psychology Council established norms of performance for psychologists in relation to transgender and transvestite people, also banning any conversion therapy.[23] A criminal ban has been proposed in the federal district, Brasilia.
Canada		[b]	Main article: List of Canadian jurisdictions banning conversion therapy Nationwide ban: Conversion therapy is illegal for both adults and minors under the Criminal Code. The ban took effect on 7 January 2022, 30 days after Bill C-4 received royal assent.[24] Prior to the federal prohibition, it was banned in the province of Manitoba (since 2015),[25][26] for minors in Ontario (since 2015),[27] for minors (though allowed for "mature minors" between the ages of 16 and 18 if they consent) in Nova Scotia (since 2018),[28][29] for minors in Prince Edward Island (since 2020),[30] in Quebec (since 2020),[31] the territory of Yukon (since 2020),[32] and numerous municipalities including Vancouver (since 2018),[33] Edmonton (since 2019),[34] and Calgary (since 2020).[35] On 23 September 2020. Bill C-6 was introduced by the government in the House of Commons, it would have prohibited performing conversion therapy on a child, forcing someone to undergo conversion therapy against their will, advertising or materially benefiting from conversion therapy, and removing a child from Canada to perform conversion therapy.[36] On 22 June 2021, it passed the lower house (263 to 63), and was sent to the Senate.[37] However the Senate failed to pass the bill after some senators objected to the government's request to recall the chamber from its summer recess, so that the bill may have been considered before Parliament was dissolved for an expected snap election.[38] The election was called on 15 August and the bill died on the order paper.[39] On 29 November, the re-elected government introduced a new version of the bill (C-4) for the 44th Parliament, which broadened the ban's coverage to include adults, and identified it as one of its priority bills it hoped to pass before the end of the year.[40] The bill passed the House of Commons on 1 December without a recorded vote after all parties unanimously agreed to expedite it, and likewise passed the Senate on 7 December.[41][42] The bill received royal assent on 8 December 2021, and came into effect on 7 January 2022.[24]
Chile	[b]		Practice by medical professionals banned: In March 2023, the Ministry of Health issues Circular B2 No. 6 instructing all individual and institutional health providers, both public and private, the prohibition of the implementation of "conversion therapies" for not be valid clinical practices. It also recognizes that diagnoses of mental health status cannot be based on criteria biasedly related to sexual orientation or gender identity and gender expression.[43] Criminal ban proposed: Proposed criminal ban was approved by the Chilean Senate in 2021. The bill is currently being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies.[44] Diagnosis by medical professionals banned: Law 21.331 on the Recognition and Protection of the Rights of People in Mental Health Care, enacted on 23 April 2021, states in its article 7: "The diagnosis of the state of mental health must be established as dictated by the clinical technique, considering biopsychosocial variables. It cannot be based on criteria related to the political, socioeconomic, cultural, racial or religious group of the person, nor to the identity or sexual orientation of the person, among others."[45][46][47] In February 2016, the Chilean Ministry of Health expressed their opposition to conversion therapy. The statement said: "We consider that practices known as conversion therapies represent a grave threat to health and well-being, including the life, of the people who are affected."[48]
China			Case-by-case ban: In China, courts have ruled instances of conversion therapy to be illegal on two occasions; however, legal precedents in China are not enforceable in future cases. In December 2014, a Beijing court ruled in favor of a gay man in a case against a conversion therapy clinic. The court ruled that such treatments are illegal and ordered the clinic to apologize and pay monetary compensation.[49] In June 2016, a man from Henan Province sued a hospital in the city of Zhumadian for forcing him to undergo conversion therapy,[50] and was also awarded a public apology and compensation.[51] Following these two successful rulings, LGBT groups are now calling on the Chinese Health Ministry to ban conversion therapy.[52] However, as of April 2019[update], no measure has been taken by the government to ban conversion therapy, and such treatments are still in fact being actively promoted throughout the country.[53]
Colombia			Nationwide ban proposed: In June 2023, Congress approved a bill to ban conversion therapy at first reading.[54]
Cyprus			Nationwide ban: In May 2023, the Cyprus Parliament passed a bill criminalizing conversion therapy.[55]
Ecuador			Nationwide ban: In Ecuador, the Government's view is that conversion therapy is proscribed by a 1999 law banning anti-gay discrimination.[56] In addition, Article 151 of the 2014 Penal Code prohibits conversion therapy, equating it to torture, and provides 10 years' imprisonment for those practicing it.[57] In January 2012, the Ecuadorian Government raided three conversion therapy clinics in Quito, rescued dozens of women who were abused and tortured in an effort to "cure their homosexuality", and promised to shut down every such clinic in the country.[58] This action was the result of a 10-year campaign by Fundación Causana, an Ecuadorian activist group, which called attention to more than 200 illegal "ex-gay clinics" that were targeting lesbians and operating under the guise of being drug rehabilitation centers.[59][60][61]
Fiji			Practice by medical professionals banned: The Mental Health Decree 2010 states that people are not to be considered mentally ill if they refuse or fail to express a particular sexual orientation, and prohibits any conversion therapy in the field of mental health.[62] The ban only applies to registered health professionals.
Finland			Nationwide ban proposed: A citizens' initiative calling for a ban was first brought before the Finnish parliament in 2021, but this initiative was allowed to lapse. After the election of 2023, a new initiative was proposed and the requisite 50,000 signatures collected in June 2023.[63]
France			Nationwide ban: On 7 December 2020, the French Senate approved a ban on conversion therapy by a vote of 305–28, France's National Assembly had passed a similar ban earlier.[64] The Senate version of the bill was adopted by the National Assembly on 25 January 2022, by a vote of 142–0, and was officially published on 1 February 2022.[65][66]
Germany			Nationwide ban: In 2008, the German Government declared itself completely opposed to conversion therapy.[67] In February 2019, German Health Minister Jens Spahn said he will seek to ban conversion therapies that claim to change sexual orientation.[68] The government banned conversion therapy for all minors in December 2019. Adult conversion therapy is only deemed illegal if consent was given due to "lack of will power" such as deceit or coercion. Psychotherapeutic and pastoral care "purposefully trying to influence one's sexual orientation" was also banned. The ban also applies to legal guardians "grossly violating their duty of care".[69] On 7 May 2020, German parliament Bundestag banned nationwide conversion therapy for minors until 18 years and forbids advertising of conversion therapy. It also forbids conversion therapy for adults, if they are decided by force, fraud or pressure.[70][71]
Greece			Nationwide ban: In May 2022, the Greek Parliament banned conversion therapy for minors. Conversion therapy for adults remains possible if they give their consent. Advertising is forbidden.[72]
Iceland			Nationwide ban: The Iceland Parliament passed a bill to ban conversion therapy on 9 June 2023, with a vote of 53-0 with 3 abstentions.[73]
India			Practice by medical professionals banned: On June 7, 2021, in an interim order for the case S Sushma v. Commissioner of Police, Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court issued a directive to the National Medical Commission and Indian Psychiatric Society. The directive aimed to prohibit any attempts by medical professionals to "cure" or alter an individual's sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender. The court ordered that action be taken against professionals involved in any form or method of "conversion therapy," including revocation of their license to practice.[74][75] In compliance with the high court's directives, on September 2, 2022, the National Medical Commission officially prohibited medical professionals from practicing conversion therapy. The commission further empowered State Medical Councils to take disciplinary action against medical professionals found to be providing "conversion therapy."[76][77]
Iran		[c]	Legal and state-backed: In Iran, homosexuality is illegal and carries the death penalty per Islamic law. Numerous government ministries have condemned homosexuality under the influence and control of religious institutions. Health professionals, religious institutions, and others promote conversion therapy, This may include counseling, prayer, aversion therapy, drugs, hormones, shock therapy, and even sex reassignment surgery. The scope of conversion therapy in Iran is not known.[78]
Ireland			Nationwide ban proposed: The Prohibition of Conversion Therapies Bill 2018 had passed second reading in the Seanad Éireann (Irish Senate), but died when Parliament was dissolved ahead of the 2020 election.[79] The bill was reintroduced following the 2020 Irish general election.[80] In 2023, at the suggestion of Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O'Gorman, the Irish Government announced that they will introduce a new law to ban conversion therapy and its advertising.[81]
Israel			Practice by medical professionals banned: The Health Ministry banned medical professionals from conducting conversion therapy in February 2022.[82] In October 2014, the Ministry of Health issued a statement announcing that it considers conversion therapy to "create false impressions of scientific recognition even though there is no scientific evidence that it is at all successful. It may also cause harm to the individual."[83] In February 2016 and in March 2017, the Knesset rejected bills introduced by former Health Minister Yael German that would have banned conversion therapy in Israel for minors. The bills were rejected 37–45 and 26–38, respectively.[84] These efforts were blocked by Orthodox Jewish parties.[85] In 2019, the Israel Medical Association decided to expel members who continue to practice conversion therapy.[86][85] However, as of 2020 conversion therapy continues to be widely offered by religious organizations such as Atzat Nefesh under the euphemism "therapy for reversed inclinations".[85] In July 2020, a bill against conversion therapy passed the preliminary reading.[87] It later didn't succeed in its first reading.[82]
Lebanon			In 2013, the Lebanese Psychiatric Society stated that conversion therapy seeking to "convert" gays and bisexuals into straights has no scientific backing and asked health professionals to rely only on science when giving opinion and treatment in this matter.[88]
Malaysia			Legal and state-backed: In February 2017, the Malaysian Government endorsed conversion therapy, claiming homosexuality can be "cured" through extensive training.[89] In June 2017, the Health Ministry began a film competition to find the best way to "cure" and prevent homosexuality. The competition was later cancelled, following massive outrage.[90]
Malta			Nationwide ban: In December 2016, the Parliament of Malta unanimously approved the Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act, becoming the first country in the European Union to ban conversion therapy.[91][92] The bill had been supported by the Malta Chamber of Psychologists, the Maltese Association of Psychiatry, the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession, and the Malta Association of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice.[93]
Mexico			Nationwide ban: Between October 2022 and April 2024, the two chambers of the Mexican Congress approved unanimously the reform proposed in 2018 to the Federal Penal Code and the General Health Law to ban conversion therapy.[94] The promulgation of the bill was finally done in June 2024.[95] Before that, it had previously been banned in Mexico City (2020), State of Mexico (2020), Oaxaca (2021), Baja California Sur (2021), Zacatecas (2021), Yucatán (2021), Tlaxcala (2021), Colima (2021), Jalisco (2022), Baja California (2022), Hidalgo (2022), Sonora (2022), Nuevo León (2022), Puebla (2022), Querétaro (2022), Sinaloa (2023), Morelos (2023), Quintana Roo (2023), and Guerrero (2024). The Federal Penal Code sanctions anyone who practices or funds these therapies with prison, fine, or dismissal. The General Health Law establishes suspension for healthcare-related workers who practice or fund conversion therapy.
Nauru			Practice by medical professionals banned: The Mentally-Disordered Persons (Amendment) Act 2016 states that people are not to be considered mentally disordered if they express or exhibit or refuse or fail to express a particular sexual preference or sexual orientation.[96] The ban only applies to registered health professionals.
Netherlands			Nationwide ban proposed: Organizations offering conversion therapy in the Netherlands are not eligible for subsidies.[97] In addition, since June 2012, conversion therapies have been blocked from coverage by healthcare insurance.[98] In February 2022, coalition parties VVD and D66 proposed to ban conversion therapy. Together with the opposition parties in favour of the proposal, there would be a majority supporting it.[99]
New Zealand			Nationwide ban: In August 2018, Justice Minister Andrew Little announced that a conversion therapy ban could be considered as part of a reform to the Human Rights Act 1993.[100] After this plan was voted down by coalition partners New Zealand First, the Labour Party announced in October 2020 it would definitively ban the practise if re-elected.[101] In late July 2021, Justice Minister Kris Faafoi announced a proposed law banning conversion therapy.[102][103] The law was passed by parliament with 112 votes in favour and 8 against in February 2022.[104] Youth MP and activist, Shaneel Lal has led the movement to end conversion therapy in New Zealand.[105]
Norway			Criminal ban: In 2000, the Norwegian Psychiatric Association overwhelmingly voted for the position statement that "homosexuality is no disorder or illness, and can therefore not be subject to treatment. A 'treatment' with the only aim of changing sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual must be regarded as ethical malpractice, and should have no place in the health system".[106] On 12 December 2023, the Norwegian Parliament by a vote of 85-15 passed a law banning conversion therapy practices with sentences up to 6 years imprisonment for the most serious cases.[107]
Paraguay	[b]		Diagnosis by medical professionals banned: Article 3 of Law 7018 on Mental Health, enacted on 15 November 2022, establishes that: "In no case can a diagnosis be made in the field of mental health on the exclusive basis of sexual choice or identity."[108]
Peru			Practice by medical professionals banned: The Ministry of Health clarified that sexual orientation and gender identity are not diseases and thus they should not be subject to conversion therapies in May 2024, reiterating a 2021 technical document.[109][110] Additionally, Article 9(3)(d) of Regional Ordinance No. 017-2008 (2008) of the Department of Apurímac prohibits forcing a person to undergo medical and/or psychological treatment in order to alter or modify their sexual orientation.
Poland			No ban: There is no ban on conversion therapy in Poland.[111][112][better source needed] A bill was drafted by politicians from the Nowoczesna party to ban it in 2019.[113][112] In 2020, Polish bishops issued a 27-page document about LGBT issues, which included a call for "clinics to help people who want to regain their natural sexual orientation".[114]
Portugal			Criminal ban: On December 22, 2023, Parliament passed a law banning conversion therapy.[115] Practice by medical professionals banned: In 2019, the regulatory Ordem dos Psicólogos affirmed that conversion therapy has no basis in science and that its members cannot perform it.[116] Criminal prohibition proposed and has passed first reading in Parliament.
Samoa			Practice by medical professionals banned: The Mental Health Act 2007 states that people are not to be considered mentally ill if they refuse or fail to express a particular sexual orientation, and prohibits any conversion therapy in the field of mental health.[117] The ban only applies to registered health professionals.
South Africa			The South African Society of Psychiatrists states that "there is no scientific evidence that reparative or conversion therapy is effective in changing a person's sexual orientation. There is, however, evidence that this type of therapy can be destructive".[118] In February 2015, owners of a conversion therapy camp were found guilty of murder, child abuse and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm after three teens were found dead at the camp. The teens were beaten with spades and rubber pipes, chained to their beds, not allowed to use the toilet at any time and forced to eat soap and their own feces, all with the aim of "curing" their homosexuality.[119]
Spain			Nationwide ban: Conversion therapy was banned nationwide by congress on 16 February 2023.[120] Conversion therapy had previously been banned in the autonomous communities of Murcia (since 2016),[121] Madrid (since 2017),[122] Valencia (since 2017),[123] Andalusia (since 2018),[124] and Aragon (since 2019).[125] The specifics vary by jurisdiction. For instance, in Murcia, the ban only applies to registered health professionals, but the Madrid ban applies to everyone including religious groups. The Spanish Psychological Association states that there is no evidence to support conversion therapy. "On the contrary, there is evidence that conversion therapy leads to anxiety, depression and suicide".[126] In April 2019, following an exposé of conversion therapy in Spain, the Spanish health minister Maria Luisa Carcedo said the Spanish government would consider legislating to stamp out the practice.[127] In February 2023, conversion therapy was banned nationwide.[128]
Sri Lanka			In March 2022, a bill aimed at banning conversion therapy was tabled by Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna.[129] Wijerathna criticized the government for not supporting the bill in July 2024.[130]
Switzerland			Practice by medical professionals banned: In Switzerland, it is unlawful for a medical professional to carry out conversion therapy. In 2016, the Swiss Federal Council wrote in response to a parliamentary interpellation that in its view, conversion therapies are "ineffective and cause significant suffering to young people subject to them", and would constitute a breach of professional duties on the part of any care professional undertaking them. As such, in the Government's view, any care professional undertaking such therapies is liable to be sanctioned by the cantonal authorities. Whether such therapies also constitute a criminal offense is to be determined by the criminal courts in the individual case, according to the Federal Council.[131] Reports emerged in summer 2018 of a therapist claiming to be able to "cure" homosexuality through homoeopathy. He was promptly fired, and an investigation was opened with the Geneva Ministry of Health.[132] According to the Ministry, believing that homosexuality is an illness is sufficient to open an investigation. The Association des Médecins du Canton de Genève describes conversion therapy as a form of charlatanism. In August 2022, the National Council's Legal Committee voted to call on the Federal Council to draft a law that would ban conversion therapy practices on minors and young adults.[133] In May 2023, the canton of Neuchâtel became the first to pass a law banning conversion therapy,[134] while Valais followed in May 2024. Additionally the cantons of Bern, Basel-Stadt, Geneva, Fribourg,[135] and Vaud have debated banning conversion therapy in their Parliaments, with a bill to ban it in Vaud pending.[136]
Taiwan			Practice by medical professionals banned: On 13 May 2016, the Health Bureau of the Taichung City Government announced that medical institutions in Taichung are prohibited from engaging in conversion therapy. According to Shader Liu, a member of Taichung's Gender Equality Committee, any group—medical, civil or religious—that practices the treatment is violating the Taiwanese Physicians Act and Psychologists Act.[137] Regulations banning conversion therapy were expected to bypass Parliament in late January 2017 and take effect in March 2017.[138][139] According to the Physicians Act, doctors who engage in prohibited treatments are subject to fines of between NT$100,000 (US$3,095) to NT$500,000 (US$15,850) and may be suspended for one month to one year.[140] However, the proposed regulations were stalled by fierce resistance from anti-LGBT groups.[141] Instead of pushing ahead legal amendments or new regulations, on 22 February 2018, the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a letter to all local health authorities on the matter, which effectively banned conversion 'therapy'.[142] In the letter, the Ministry states that sexual orientation conversion is not regarded as a legitimate healthcare practice and that any individual performing the so-called therapy is liable to prosecution under the Criminal Code [zh] or the Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act, depending on the circumstances.[143]
Uganda			Legal and state-backed: Section 16 of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 gives Ugandan courts the power to force a person convicted of homosexuality to undergo "rehabilitation".[144][145]
United Kingdom			Banned in the Isle of Man. Legislation pending in England and Wales and Scotland. In 2017, the Church of England announced it considers conversion therapy "fundamentally wrong" and demanded the Government ban it.[146] After reports of a Liverpool church starving individuals for three days as a means to "cure" their homosexuality, Parliament heard calls for a legislative ban.[147] Groups such as Stonewall and Humanists UK have also long called for it to be banned. On 3 July 2018, the UK Government announced it would work towards a total ban on conversion therapy across medical, non-medical, and religious settings.[148][149] However, by the time of the 2019 general election, the issue was no longer a priority for the governing Conservative Party.[150] Stonewall notes that "in the UK, all major counselling and psychotherapy bodies, as well as the NHS, have concluded that conversion therapy is dangerous and have condemned it by signing a Memorandum of Understanding".[151] In December 2020, the Conservative Party again changed course and provided government funding for a conference of faith leaders calling for an end to conversion therapy, including nine archbishops, sixty rabbis and senior Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.[152] In the self-governing British dependent territory the Isle of Man, an amendment to the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Bill that would ban and criminalize gay conversion therapy was put forward to the House of Keys in 2019.[153] The legislation was passed in 2020 and came into effect in March 2024, making the Isle of Man the first British territory to ban the practice.[154] On 11 May 2021 the government stated that conversion therapy was to become a banned practice throughout England and Wales. In December 2021 the government put forward a proposed ban for consultation, with the stated intention of preparing a draft bill for spring 2022.[155] In April 2022, days after announcing that the ban would not go ahead the government reversed that decision but said that it would not cover transgender people.[156] In January 2023, the government changed its decision not to include transgender people. They would be covered by the ban.[157] By early 2024, the proposed conversion therapy ban was alleged to have been cancelled by the government.[158] In July 2024, the newly elected Labour government vowed to introduce a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy. On 17 July, 2024, plans to outlaw conversion therapy in England and Wales were set forth in The King's Speech.[159]
United States			Main article: List of U.S. jurisdictions banning conversion therapy for minors Banned in 23 states, 2 territories, and local counties/municipalities: As of September 2024[update], 23 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and some counties and municipalities in the United States have passed laws banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors.[160][161][162][163][164][165][166][167] It is also banned in major cities like Miami and Cincinnati. Subsequently, legal challenges against New Jersey's and California's conversion therapy bans were filed. U.S. District Court Judge Freda L. Wolfson rejected the claim of New Jersey parents that it violated their rights by keeping them from treating their child for same-sex attraction. In Doe v. Christie, Wolfson wrote: "Surely, the fundamental rights of parents do not include the right to choose a specific medical or mental health treatment that the state has reasonably deemed harmful or ineffective. ... To find otherwise would create unimaginable and unintentional consequences." On 10 February 2015, a New Jersey Superior Court judge ruled that offering conversion services on the basis of a description of homosexuality as abnormal or a mental illness is a violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.[168] The decision is "believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S."[168] On 29 August 2013, in the case of Pickup v. Brown and Welch v. Brown, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld California's ban.[169] In August 2016, the Ninth Circuit again upheld the state's ban, finding that legislation prohibiting conversion therapy is not unconstitutional.[170] The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly rejected challenges against conversion therapy bans.[171] The states of New Jersey (2013), California (2013), Oregon (2015), Illinois (2016), Vermont (2016), New Mexico (2017), Connecticut (2017), Rhode Island (2017), Nevada (2018), Washington (2018), Hawaii (2018), Delaware (2018), Maryland (2018), New Hampshire (2019), New York (2019), Massachusetts (2019),[172] Maine (2019),[173] Colorado (2019),[174] Utah (2019), Virginia (2020), Minnesota (2023), Michigan (2023) and Kentucky (2024),[175] as well as the District of Columbia (2015) and Puerto Rico (2019) ban the use of conversion therapy on minors.[176] Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin also prohibit use of state or federal funds for conversion therapy practices. Opinion polls have found that conversion therapy bans enjoy popular support among the U.S. population. As of 2019[update], no nationwide opinion poll has been carried out, though surveys in three states (Florida, New Mexico and Virginia) show support varying between 60% and 75%. According to a 2014 national poll, only 8% of the U.S. population believed conversion therapies to be successful.[177]
Uruguay			Diagnosis by medical professionals banned: Adopted in 2017, the Ley de Salud Mental ("Mental Health Law") states that in no case a diagnosis can be made in the field of mental health on the exclusive basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.[178]
Vietnam			Practice by medical professionals banned: Circular No. 4132/BYT-PC, issued on 3 August 2022, stated that: "LGBTQ identity cannot be treated as a disease, while involuntary treatments are prohibited and mental health services can only be provided by experts on sexual orientation and gender identity."[179][180][181]
Legend:		= banned; = endorsed/no ban; = in some jurisdictions; = for minors; = bill proposed.

Legal status by US state

Main article: List of U.S. jurisdictions banning conversion therapy for minors

Although no national ban exists, several US states and individual counties ban therapy attempting to change sexual orientation as shown in the map below.

Map of U.S. states and counties that have bans on sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts with minors as of May 2024.

  Ban on conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (Washington, D.C. also bans such therapy for adults.)

  Ban on use of state or federal funds for conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

  State law prohibits local governments from banning conversion therapy

  Federal court has ruled that banning conversion therapy is unconstitutional; Dark red spots indicate cities/counties that had pre-existing bans

  No ban on conversion therapy for minors

Criminalization chronology

The table below lists, in chronological order, the United Nations member states that have explicitly prohibited and criminalized conversion therapy by law.

Year banned	Country	Countries per year	Total
2014	Ecuador	1	1
2016	Malta	1	2
2020	Germany	1	3
2022	Canada  France  Greece  New Zealand	4	7
2023	Spain  Cyprus  Iceland  Belgium	4	11
2024	Norway  Portugal  Mexico	3	14

Legal cases

On 25 June 2015, a New Jersey jury found the Jewish conversion therapy organization JONAH guilty of consumer fraud in the case Ferguson v. JONAH for promising to be able to change its clients' sexual urges and determined its commercial practices to be unconscionable.^[182]

In a 1997 U.S. case, the Ninth Circuit addressed conversion therapy in the context of an asylum application. A Russian citizen "had been apprehended by the Russian militia, registered at a clinic as a 'suspected lesbian', and forced to undergo treatment for lesbianism, such as 'sedative drugs' and hypnosis. ... The Ninth Circuit held that the conversion treatments to which Pitcherskaia had been subjected constituted mental and physical torture." The court rejected the argument that the treatments to which Pitcherskaia had been subjected did not constitute persecution because they had been intended to help her, not harm her, and stated "human rights laws cannot be sidestepped by simply couching actions that torture mentally or physically in benevolent terms such as 'curing' or 'treating' the victims".^[183]

In 1993, the Superior Court of San Francisco's Family Court placed 15-year-old lesbian Lyn Duff under the guardianship of a foster couple after her mother committed her to Rivendell Psychiatric Center in West Jordan, Utah, where she allegedly endured physical abuse under the guise of conversion therapy. Lyn Duff's petition to leave her mother was granted without court opinion.^{[184][185][186][187]}

See also

• Psychology of the internet

References

Notes

1. Prohibited by professional ethics associations.
2. Prohibited by law.
3. Endorsed by the state.

Citations

1. "Belgium completely outlaws conversion therapy". 22 July 2023. Archived from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
2. Gerbut, V; Karabin, T; Lazur, Y (1 November 2020). "Conversion Therapy Bans in National Legislations Around the Globe". Georgian Medical News. 308 (308). Georgia: Assot︠s︡iat︠s︡ii︠a︡ delovoĭ pressy Gruzii: 192–198. ISSN 1512-0112. PMID 33395666. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022 – via EBSCOhost.
3. Bagchi, Dishha (4 September 2022). "National Medical Commission bans 'Conversion Therapy', calls it professional misconduct". The Print. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
4. Ramsay, Max (17 September 2024). "EU to Pursue Ban on Conversion Therapy in New LGBTQ Strategy". BNN Bloomberg. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
5. "Initiative detail | European Citizens' Initiative". citizens-initiative.europa.eu. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
6. "Albania becomes third European country to ban gay 'conversion therapy'". France24.com. 16 May 2020. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
7. "Law 26,657, Article 3-C". InfoLEG. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
8. "Victoria Bans Gay Conversion Practicies after 12-hour debate". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 4 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
9. "Sexuality and Gender Identity Conversion Practices Act 2020 | Acts". ACT Legislation Register. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
10. Taouk, Maryanne (21 March 2024). "'We will protect you': NSW bans gay conversion therapy after marathon parliamentary debate". ABC News. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
11. Writers, Staff (25 September 2024). "Community welcomes new law banning conversion practices in SA". QNews. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
12. "South Australia is the latest state to ban conversion therapy". 10 September 2024.
13. red, ORF at/Agenturen (23 July 2022). "Verbot von Konversionstherapien dauert noch". news.ORF.at (in German). Retrieved 18 November 2022.
14. Mader, Herwig Hakan (25 February 2022). ""Konversionstherapien" könnten in Österreich bis zum Sommer verboten werden". GGG.at (in German). Retrieved 18 November 2022.
15. Flandre, Flandreinfo be-L'Actu de (20 July 2023). "La Chambre approuve l'interdiction des pratiques de conversion" (in French). VRT NWS. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
16. "Resolução CFP 01/1999" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
17. Murphy, Tyler (28 June 2013). "Brazilian Evangelical Lawmakers Push Gay Conversion Therapy Bill". Political Research Associates. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
18. Watts, Jonathan (5 April 2013). "Head of Brazil's equality body accused of homophobia and racism". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
19. Psychiatrist Jairo Bouer talks about the "collateral effects" of "gay cure" bill Archived 15 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine (in Portuguese)
20. Passarinho, Nathalia; CostaDo, Fabiano (2 July 2013). "Câmara decide arquivar projeto que autoriza 'cura gay'". Política (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 24 March 2022.
21. Phillips, Dom (19 September 2017). "Brazilian judge approves 'gay conversion therapy', sparking national outrage". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
22. "Juiz federal do DF altera decisão que liberou 'cura gay' e reafirma normas do Conselho de Psicologia". G1. 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
23. "Resolução CFP 01/2018" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
24. Aiello, Rachel (8 December 2021). "Conversion therapy to be illegal in Canada in 30 days". CTVNews. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
25. "Manitoba works to ban conversion therapy for LGBT youth". CBC News. 22 May 2015. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
26. "Position on Conversion Therapy | Health, Seniors and Active Living". Province of Manitoba – Health, Seniors and Active Living. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
27. "Affirming Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Act, 2015". Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
28. "Bill 16 – Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protection Act – RA". Nova Scotia Legislature. 12 October 2018. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
29. Gorman, Michael (25 September 2018). "Bill passes banning conversion therapy in Nova Scotia". CBC News. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
30. Robertson, John (31 July 2020). "P.E.I. law banning conversion therapy an important message for others, says LGBTQ rights advocate". CBC News. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
31. "An Act to protect persons from conversion therapy provided to change their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression". National Assembly of Québec. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
32. Takeuchi, Craig (11 November 2020). "Yukon becomes first Canadian territory to protect LGBT people from conversion therapy". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
33. Vikander, Tessa (6 June 2018). "Vancouver council votes unanimously to ban conversion therapy". The Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
34. Labine, Jeff. "Edmonton approves bylaw to officially ban conversion therapy". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
35. "Calgary city council votes to ban conversion therapy". The Globe and Mail. 25 May 2020. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
36. "Federal Government reintroduces legislation to criminalize conversion therapy-related conduct in Canada". www.canada.ca. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
37. Gordon, Julie (22 June 2021). "Canadian lawmakers pass bill criminalizing LGBT conversion therapy". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021.
38. Gordon, Julie (1 July 2021). "Canada's Senate puts LGBT conversion therapy bill on hold for summer". Reuters. Archived from the original on 4 July 2021.
39. "Here's what died on the order paper". nationalmagazine.ca. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
40. Aiello, Rachel (29 November 2021). "Feds table broadened bill to ban conversion therapy in Canada". CTVNews. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
41. "House passes bill banning conversion therapy after Tory MP fast-tracks vote – National | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
42. Aiello, Rachel (7 December 2021). "Senate passes bill to ban conversion therapy". CTVNews. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
43. "Circular B2/No. 6" (PDF). diprece.minsal.cl. 10 March 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
44. "Procedimientos judiciales más expeditos: mejoramiento de Ley Zamudio a segundo trámite". senado.cl (in Spanish). 2021. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
45. "LEY NÚM. 21.331 DEL RECONOCIMIENTO Y PROTECCIÓN DE LOS DERECHOS DE LAS PERSONAS EN LA ATENCIÓN DE SALUD MENTAL". www.bcn.cl/leychile. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
46. "Proyecto de Ley sobre protección de la salud mental". www.camara.cl. Cámara de Diputados de Chile. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
47. Gallardo Álvarez, Amanda (16 March 2022). "No hay nada que sanar: Ley chilena prohíbe las 'terapias de conversión sexual'" [There's nothing to cure: Chilean law prohibits 'conversion therapies']. Romántica (in Spanish). Ramón Gómez, encargado de Derechos Humanos del Movimiento de Liberación e Integración Homosexual, Movilh, explicó que además de las terapias, también declara ilegal cualquier diagnóstico basado en la orientación sexual del paciente. [Ramón Gómez, human rights director of the Movimiento de Liberación e Integración Homosexual, Movilh, explained that in addition to the therapies, it also declares illegal any diagnosis based on a patient's sexual orientation.] {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
48. "Chilean officials: Conversion therapy is a 'grave threat'". 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
49. Kaiman, Jonathan (19 December 2014). "Chinese court rules 'gay cure' treatments illegal". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
50. Phillips, Tom (14 June 2016). "Gay man sues Chinese psychiatric hospital over 'sexuality correction'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
51. "Gay Chinese man wins legal battle over forced conversion therapy". BBC. 4 July 2017. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
52. "Hospital Drops Appeal in Gay Man's Involuntary Treatment Case". Sixth Tone. 20 September 2017. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
53. "Conversion Therapy Still Promoted in China, Investigation Finds". Sixth Tone. 19 April 2019. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
54. Semana (13 June 2023). "Aprueban en primer debate proyecto que prohíbe terapias de conversión a personas LGTBIQ+; así han funcionado en Colombia". Semana.com Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
55. "House Plenum votes to criminalise conversion therapies". in-cyprus.philenews.com. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
56. Jenkins, Matthew (9 February 2016). "Electric shocks, rape and submersion: 'gay cures' and the fight to end them". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
57. "Código Orgánico Integral Penal" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
58. "Ecuador promises to shut down all 'gay cure' clinics". 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
59. Gutierrez, Emilia (11 November 2011). "Why 200 Lesbian Torture Clinics Are Still Operating in Ecuador". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
60. "Lesbian Torture Clinics in Ecuador- Claiming to "Cure" Them"^[usurped]. Hispanically Speaking News. 5 November 2011. Archived from the original^[usurped] on 12 December 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
61. Giacomazzo, Bernadette (10 February 2012). "'Lesbian Torture Clinics' in Ecuador Put to an End". GO Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
62. "Mental Health Decree 2010". Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
63. "Citizens' initiative to ban conversion therapy goes to Finnish Parliament". Yle News. 4 June 2023. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
64. "'Nothing to cure': Senators back ban on LGBT 'conversion therapy'". euronews. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
65. "LGBT rights: New French law to criminalise 'conversion therapy'". BBC News. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
66. Nationale, Assemblée. "Interdiction des pratiques visant à modifier l'orientation sexuelle ou l'identité de genre d'une personne". Assemblée nationale (in French). Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
67. "Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Abgeordneten Volker Beck (Köln), Josef Philip Winkler, Hans-Christian Ströbele, weiterer Abgeordneter under der Fraktion BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
68. "German minister calls for ban on conversion therapy". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 15 February 2019. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
69. "Bundeskabinett beschließt Verbot von Pseudo-Therapien gegen Homosexualität". Queer.de (in German). 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
70. "Therapien zur "Heilung" Homosexueller und Transgeschlechtlicher verboten". Deutscher Bundestag (in German). Archived from the original on 1 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
71. "Germany passes law banning 'gay conversion therapy' for minors". BBC News. 8 May 2020. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
72. "Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy". Reuters. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
73. Davis, Andrew (10 June 2023). "Iceland passes trans-inclusive conversion-therapy ban". Windy City Times. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
74. Krishnan, Murali (7 June 2021). "[BREAKING] Madras High Court bans medical attempts to cure sexual orientation; suggests changes to school curricula to educate students on LGBTQ". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
75. S Sushma v. Commissioner of Police, Writ Petition No 7284 of 2021 (Madras High Court 7th June 2021), Text, archived from the original.
76. Perappadan, Bindu Shajan (2 September 2022). "'Conversion therapy' is misconduct, declares National Medical Commission". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
77. "NMC warns doctors over conversion therapy to LGBTQ | Mumbai News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 6 September 2022. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
78. Kabir, amir; Nazareth, Irwin (1 April 2022). "Conversion therapy: a violation of human rights in Iranian gay men". The Lancet. 9 (4). Elsevier: E19. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00070-0. ISSN 2215-0366. OCLC 9458686782. PMID 35305753. S2CID 247527830.
79. "'A deceptive practice': Bill to ban LGBTQ conversion therapies passes second stage of Seanad". TheJournal.ie. 2 May 2018. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
80. "Prohibition of Conversion Therapies Bill 2018 – No. 39 of 2018 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. 25 April 2018. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
81. Phelan, Ciara (20 June 2023). "Government to disregard historic convictions for consensual sex between men". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
82. "Health Ministry formally bans LGBTQ conversion therapy". The Jerusalem Post. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
83. "Health Ministry warns against conversion therapy for homosexuals". 6 October 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
84. "Day after marking LGBT rights, Knesset nixes 5 gender equality bills". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
85. Hofstein, Avner; Sharvit, Omer (24 June 2020). "Gay conversion therapy to fix 'reverse inclinations' is alive and well in Israel". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
86. Savage, Rachel (9 January 2019). "Israeli doctors ban gay conversion therapy as risks 'mental damage'". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
87. "Controversial conversion therapy bill passes: 'Saving lives'". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 22 July 2020. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
88. Littauer, Dan (11 September 2013). "Lebanon Says: Being Gay Is Not a Disease and Needs No Treatment". Huffington Post'. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
89. Cody Gohl (16 February 2017). "The Government of Malaysia Endorses Gay Conversion Therapy". newnownext.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
90. Greg Heffer (3 June 2017). "Anger over Malaysia's 'prevent' homosexuality film competition". news.sky.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
91. Benjamin, Butterworth. "Malta just became the first country in Europe to ban 'gay cure' therapy". Pink News. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016.
92. "L-MCP dwar il-kriminalizzazzjoni tal-Gay Conversion Therapy". Marsa: iNews Malta. 28 November 2016. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016.
93. "L-MCP dwar il-kriminalizzazzjoni tal-Gay Conversion Therapy". Marsa: iNews Malta. 28 November 2016. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016.
94. Williams, Jeremy (26 April 2024). "Mexican Senate approves bill to ban conversion therapy". Watermark Online. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
95. Guadarrama, Lizette (8 June 2024). "¡Oficial! Entra en vigor prohibición de terapias de conversión en México". Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
96. "MENTALLY- DISORDERED PERSONS (AMENDMENT) ACT 2016" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
97. Dirks, Bart (8 January 2009). "Christelijke stichting verliest toch homo-subsidie". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
98. De Wever, Robin (7 June 2012). "Alleen stoppen met vergoeding homotherapie is niet genoeg". Trouw (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
99. "MPs propose bill to outlaw 'gay conversion' therapy in Netherlands". DutchNews.nl. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
100. Robson, Sarah (4 August 2018). "Conversion therapy ban could be considered – Justice Minister". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021.
101. Whyte, Anna. "Labour promise to ban conversion therapy, review adoption laws if re-elected". 1 News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021.
102. Neilson, Michael (30 July 2021). "Gay conversion therapy to become criminal offence, Justice Minister Kris Faafoi announces". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
103. McClure, Tess (30 July 2021). "'No place in modern New Zealand': government signals conversion practices ban". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
104. Coote, Darryl (16 February 2022). "New Zealand passes law to ban conversion therapy". United Press International. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
105. Triponel, Te Rina. "Youth MP calls for more action to ban gay conversion therapy a year after petition presented to Parliament". 1 News. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
106. Kjær, Reider (2003). "Look to Norway? Gay Issues and Mental Health Across the Atlantic Ocean". Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy. 7 (1/2): 55–73. doi:10.1300/J236v07n01_05. S2CID 142840589.
107. "Nå blir konverteringsterapi forbudt". www.bt.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). 12 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
108. "Ley 7018 de Salud Mental" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
109. "Ministerio peruano aclara que diversidad de género y sexual no es considerada enfermedad". Infobae (in European Spanish). 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
110. "Orientaciones técnicas para el cuidado integral de la salud mental de la población adolescente" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
111. Mazurczak, Anna; Mrowicki, Marcin; Adamczewska-Stachura, Milena. Bodnar, Adam (ed.). "The legal situation of non-heterosexual and transsexual persons in Poland" (PDF). Bulletin of the Commissioner for Human Rights. The Principle of Equal Treatment. Law and Practice, no. 27. 2019 (6). Warsaw: Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights: 21. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022. LGBT patients are also exposed to inappropriate comments, degrading treatment and even attempts to "treat" them for their sexual orientation – gay conversion therapy is still practiced in Poland.
112. "LGBT Rights in Poland". Equaldex. 2022. No laws in place. As well there is still the attitude that homosexuality is a disease. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
113. Power, Shannon (22 February 2019). "Poland makes moves to ban gay conversion therapy". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
114. Tilles, Daniel (30 August 2020). "Polish bishops call for 'clinics to help LGBT people regain natural sexual orientation'". Notes from Poland. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2022. [The bishops] call for the creation of 'clinics to help people who want to regain their…natural sexual orientation'. Such 'conversion therapy' has been rejected by the established medical community as unethical and harmful, and has been completely or partially banned in a number of countries.
115. "Parlamento aprova proibição e criminalização de 'terapias de conversão' sexual". Expresso (in Portuguese). 22 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
116. "Esclarecimento OPP | Ordem dos Psicólogos". www.ordemdospsicologos.pt (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
117. "Mental Health Act 2007". Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
118. "POSITION STATEMENTS HOMOSEXUALITY – POSITION STATEMENT". Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
119. "Gay "cure" camp in South Africa guilty of murdering teen – Metro Weekly". www.metroweekly.com. 27 February 2015. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
120. Valdés, Isabel (16 February 2023). "Preguntas y respuestas sobre la 'ley trans'". El País (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
121. "Noticias Jurídicas". Noticias Jurídicas. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
122. "Ley 3/2016, de 22 de julio, de Protección Integral contra LGTBIfobia y la Discriminación por Razón de Orientación e Identidad Sexual en la Comunidad de Madrid" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
123. "Noticias Jurídicas". Noticias Jurídicas. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
124. "Ley 8/2017, de 28 de diciembre, para garantizar los derechos, la igualdad de trato y no discriminación de las personas LGTBI y sus familiares en Andalucía". Noticias Juridicas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 20 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
125. "LEY 18/2018, de 20 de diciembre, de igualdad y protección integral contra la discrimina- ción por razón de orientación sexual, expresión e identidad de género en la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón". boa.aragon.es (in Spanish). 11 January 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
126. "Rechazo total de los psicólogos a las 'terapias de conversión homosexual'". Redacción Médica. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
127. Savage, Rachel; Davies, Sophie (3 April 2019). "Spain's health minister calls for end to gay 'conversion therapy'". Reuters. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
128. "El Congreso, en directo – Aprobadas la 'ley trans' y la reforma del aborto por amplia mayoría". El País. 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
129. "Sri Lanka opposition MP tables private motion to ban conversion therapy". EconomyNext. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
130. "Anti-'conversion therapy' Bill: SJB MP bemoans lack of Govt. support". The Morning (Sri Lanka). 4 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
131. "Interpellation 16.3073: Verbot und Unterstrafestellung von Therapien zur "Heilung" von Homosexualität bei Minderjährigen". Federal Assembly. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
132. "Un médecin propose de " soigner " l'homosexualité par l'homéopathie". 16 August 2018. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
133. "Verbot von Konversionstherapie – "Homo-Heilungen" sollen verboten werden – darum geht es". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). 19 August 2022. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
134. Keystone-SDA/dos (2 May 2023). "First law banning conversion therapies passed in Switzerland". SWI swissinfo.ch. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
135. "Politique: Le Conseil d'Etat fribourgeois favorable à l'interdiction des thérapies de conversion". www.laliberte.ch (in French). 18 March 2024. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
136. "L'interdiction des thérapies de conversion va être débattue au Parlement vaudois". rts.ch (in French). 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
137. Chang, Eddy (28 August 2016). "Taipei Watcher: The call is loud and clear". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
138. Liao, George (20 January 2017). "Conversion therapy to be prohibited by regulation". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
139. Benedict, R.S. (30 January 2017). "Taiwan is Getting Closer to Banning Gay Conversion Therapy". Hornet. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
140. Morgan, Joe (3 January 2017). "Taiwan publishes bill to ban 'gay cure' therapy". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
141. 黃, 驛淵 (7 December 2017). 【獨家】反同攻進國發會公共平台 衛福部「禁性傾向扭轉」2度觸礁 [[Exclusive] Anti-LGBT group attacks MoHW's proposed ban on sexual orientation conversion on National Development Council's Public Policy Online Participation Platform] (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
142. "衛部醫字第1071660970號". Laws and Regulations Database of Taipei City. Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan. 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
143. Shanghaiist (24 February 2018). "Taiwan finalizes conversion therapy ban". Medium. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
144. Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 (PDF). Kampala: The Republic of Uganda. 26 May 2023. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
145. Madowo, Larry; Feleke, Bethlehem (29 June 2023). "Uganda passed one of the world's harshest anti-gay laws. LGBTQ people describe living there as 'hell'". CNN. Atlanta: Warner Bros. Discovery. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023. …the law prescribes rehabilitation for convicted homosexuals to change their sexual orientation, even though scientists say so-called conversion therapy is harmful and ineffective.
146. "Church of England demands ban on conversion therapy". The Guardian. 8 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
147. "Parliament hears calls for ban on gay 'cure' therapies after ECHO investigation". Liverpool ECHO. 2 July 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
148. "Government commits to banning 'conversion therapy' and other major LGBT protections in action plan". Humanists UK. 3 July 2018. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
149. "Conversion therapy". Humanists UK. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
150. Wareham, Jamie (6 December 2019). "No U.K. Party Manifesto Promises To Ban Gay Conversion Therapy: So Where Do They Stand?". Forbes. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
151. "Conversion Therapy". Stonewall. 18 December 2015. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
152. "Senior faith leaders call for global decriminalisation of LGBT+ people". The Guardian. 16 December 2020.
153. "Paul Speller's political preview: 'Gay conversion' therapy could be banned". IOM Today. 6 December 2019. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
154. "New sexual offence laws come into effect today". Isle of Man Government. 25 March 2024. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
155. "Banning conversion therapy". GOV.UK. 9 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
156. Gallagher, Sophie; Parry, Josh (1 April 2022). "Conversion therapy: Ban to go ahead but not cover trans people". BBC News Online. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
157. Clarke, Vanessa (17 January 2023). "UK conversion therapy ban to include trans people". BBC News Online. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
158. Kelleher, Patrick (25 September 2023). "MPs condemn government over conversion therapy 'betrayal' as ban is reportedly scrapped". PinkNews. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
159. "What is conversion therapy and when will it be banned?". PinkNews. 17 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
160. "Ban on anti-gay 'therapy' hailed as step against hatred". VTDigger. 25 May 2016. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
161. Lieu, Ma. "SB-1172 Sexual orientation change efforts.(2011–2012)". State of California, Legislative Counsel. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
162. Tareen, Sophia (21 August 2015). "Illinois enacts gay conversion therapy ban for young people". LGBTQ Nation. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
163. "Bill to ban conversion therapy for LGBT youth sent to Kate Brown's desk". Oregon Live. 7 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
164. Coolidge, Sharon (9 December 2015). "Cincinnati bans gay 'conversion' therapy". USA Today. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
165. Hafner, Josh. "Conversion therapy for LGBT youth banned in Delaware, 15th state to restrict the practice". USA Today. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
166. Gold, Michael (21 January 2019). "New York Passes a Ban on 'Conversion Therapy' After Years-Long Efforts". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
167. Anapol, Avery (8 April 2019). "Massachusetts GOP governor signs bill banning gay conversion therapy". The Hill. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
168. Mary Pat Gallagher. "Gay 'Conversion Therapy' Consumer Fraud Ruling First in U.S." New Jersey Law Journal. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
169. "Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upholds California law banning LGBT conversion therapy". Equality on Trial. 29 August 2013. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
170. "CNS – Gay Conversion Therapy Ban Upheld by 9th Circ". www.courthousenews.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
171. "Gay-Conversion Therapy Ban Survives as Supreme Court Rejects Appeal". Bloomberg. 1 May 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
172. "Massachusetts bans conversion therapy for minors". MassLive.com. 8 April 2019. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
173. Besanvalle, James (29 May 2019). "Maine becomes 17th US state to ban conversion therapy on minors". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
174. "Conversion therapy for gay youth banned in Colorado". 31 May 2019. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
175. "Kentucky governor signs executive order banning conversion therapy". NBC News. 18 September 2024. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
176. "New York to become 15th state to ban 'gay conversion therapy'". www.nbcnews.com. 15 January 2019. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
177. Mallory, Christy; Brown, Taylor; Conron, Kerith (January 2018). "Conversion Therapy and LGBT Youth" (PDF). The Williams Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
178. "Ley N° 19529 de Salud Mental" (in Spanish). 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
179. LuatVietnam. "Công văn 4132/BYT-PC 2022 chấn chỉnh công tác KCB đối với người đồng tính, song tính và chuyển giới" [Circular No.4132/BYT-PC, amending rules for treating LGBT patients]. LuatVietnam (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
180. Snell, Govi. "Vietnam says homosexuality 'not a disease' in win for gay rights". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
181. VnExpress. "'Đồng tính không phải bệnh và không thể chữa'" [Vietnam's Ministry of Health: Homosexualality is not a disease and it is incurable]. vnexpress.net (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
182. Livio, Susan K. (25 June 2015). "Group claiming to turn gay men straight committed consumer fraud, N.J. jury says". NJ.com True Jersey. New Jersey On-Line LLC. Archived from the original on 21 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
183. Gans, Laura A. (Winter 1999), "Inverts, Perverts, and Converts: Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy and Liability", The Boston University Public Interest Law Journal, 8
184. Ocamb, Karen. "Shannon Minter on NARTH Lawsuit Against Psychological Child Abuse Law". The Bilerico Project. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
185. Molnar, Beth E. (1997). "Juveniles and Psychiatric Institutionalization: Toward Better Due Process and Treatment Review in the United States" (PDF). Health and Human Rights. 2 (2): 98–116. doi:10.2307/4065274. ISSN 1079-0969. JSTOR 4065274. PMID 10381831. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
186. Duff, Lyn (May 1996). "I was a teenage test case". California Lawyer Magazine: 46.
187. Rachmilovitz, Orly (13 August 2013). "Masters of Their Own Destiny: Children's Identities, Parents' Assimilation Demands, and State Intervention" (PDF). Boston University School of Law, Dissertation. Public Law and Legal Theory Paper No. 13-35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2016.

Further reading

• Ashley, Florence (2022). Banning Transgender Conversion Practices: A Legal and Policy Analysis. UBC Press. ISBN 978-0-7748-6695-8.