Conversion Therapy

Ever since I first heard about this practice, I've found it deeply disturbing. When I found it was a thing that exists, I immediately imagined a number of individuals that I couldn't quite ascertain, but knew were profoundly psychologically (and sometimes even physically) tortured because of aspects of themselves that they could not control. After doing some research into the topic I found out that the actual physical aspect of it has largely been retired (although not completely in every circle) but the psychological factor is still very much present. The main idea behind conversion therapy is that people who are members of the LGTBQ+ community have something wrong with them that needs to be fixed. I disagree with this premise on the fundamental level, but evidently not everyone is in step with that viewpoint. As someone who grew up in a religious household, I understand how people can come to be against homosexuality. One of my siblings, one who was particularly religious, even expressed a level of annoyance when she saw the White House lit up in rainbow colors after homosexual marriage was legalized on the federal level. That sibling didn't outright say that she was upset about the legislation itself, but she brought up the whataboutist argument that we should be honoring the troops instead of the historic legislation. Let me be clear, you can still love someone while adamantly disagreeing with them, which is very much my feelings towards that sibling. They are firmly rooted in their faith and they have done a lot of good for the world because of it, which needs to be acknowledged, but that one moment of showing disdain stuck out to me as well. It should also be said that their reaction was quite tame compared to the outright vitriol of many others in religious and conservative communities towards LGBTQ+ individuals and groups. The antigay movement is largely centered in those circles and many of those individuals are in positions of power which is mainly why conversion therapy still exists. I know when I mention antigay people in power, a certain vice president may come to mind, but it needs to be understood that he's just the tip of the iceberg. Politicians who support not only conversion therapy, but all sorts of other anti LGBTQ+ measures exist throughout all levels of government, academia, and many other institutions. The current administration is not some anomaly that popped up out of nowhere, it's been building for a long time and it's powerfully frustrating that so many people don't understand that. Let's get back to the main topic though. From what I've learned, there isn't really a universal means of conversion therapy, but it usually involves a type of pseudoscientific approach of repressing ones natural sexual tendencies. Often times, individuals are taught to despise these tendencies, that they make them immoral and deviant, which couldn't be more incorrect. One does not choose their sexual orientation, it is ingrained into their DNA. Punishing and repressing this is unnatural and has been proven to lead to horrible consequences for the individuals that experience it. This aspect of our human nature is not meant to be beaten into submission, it is meant to be understood and explored so as to foster growth into healthy and well rounded human beings. As a heterosexual man, I'm honestly very grateful that I've never, and never will be subject to such a barbaric practice because of my innate nature, but it's crucial to understand that just because something doesn't effect you, that doesn't mean it doesn't effect those that you care about. That is why I'm writing about this, because for the most part, conversion therapy is still widely allowed in this country. Some states have banned it, including my home state of Illinois, and my adoptive city of Madison has outlawed it, yet it is still allowed in other parts of Wisconsin. This just goes to show that while we have come a long way, we still have yet a long way to go and unless we are willing to face the ugliness that has come from our society and deal with it, it will never go away. Growth is often uncomfortable, but it is never unnecessary.