Conversion therapy
Conversion therapy is banned in 31 countries and territories.
- Banned
- Not banned
- Unknown, N/A, or ambiguous
Recent Changes
- Dec 22 2022Became Banned in Spain
- Dec 6 2022Became Banned in Sonora
- Nov 7 2022Became Banned in Paraguay
- Aug 16 2022Became Banned in Pennsylvania
- Aug 3 2022Became Banned in Vietnam
- Jun 7 2022Became Banned in Hidalgo
- Jun 2 2022Became Banned in Puebla
- May 26 2022Became Banned in Baja California
Conversion therapy
"Conversion therapy" or "reparative therapy" is a pseudoscientific practice of attempting to "convert" or "repair" an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. The concept is found on the assumption that sexual orientation can be changed and that anything other than homosexual and cisgender is "abnormal."
Conversion therapy is often conducted by religious groups with the use prayer and other religious efforts and teachings.
While some individuals may to undergo this therapy volunteer, many children are forced into it by their parents.
Many medical and psychologist groups have officially condemned this type of harmful "therapy." Some studies have shown that the process can sometimes lead to depression, self-harm, and even suicide.
The practice of attempting to "cure" homosexuality dates back at least to 1888 when a German psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing used hypnotic suggestion therapy to turn a gay man straight.
In the past few decades, countries, provinces, and states have begun outlawing conversion therapy.
Summary
Progress over time
Recent changes
- SpainBannedDec 22, 2022
- Sonora, MexicoBannedDec 6, 2022
- ParaguayBannedNov 7, 2022
- Pennsylvania, United StatesBannedAug 16, 2022
- VietnamBannedAug 3, 2022
- Hidalgo, MexicoBannedJun 7, 2022
- Puebla, MexicoBannedJun 2, 2022
- Baja California, MexicoBannedMay 26, 2022
- GreeceBannedMay 11, 2022
- Jalisco, MexicoBannedApr 6, 2022
Conversion therapy by country
(and dependent territories)Banned
Conversion therapy is banned in 31 regions.
- Europe (8)
- Albania 2020
- France 2022
- Germany 2020
- Greece 2022
- Isle of Man 2021
- Malta 2016
- Spain 2022
- Switzerland 2016
Not banned
Conversion therapy is not banned in 135 regions.
- Asia (36)
- Afghanistan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- China
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon 2013
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Myanmar
- Nepal 2015
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine 2014
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Turkmenistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
- Europe (35)
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia 2017
- Czech Republic
- Estonia 2017
- Finland
- Georgia
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Kosovo
- Latvia 2017
- Lithuania 2015
- Luxembourg 2017
- Moldova 2014
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia 2014
- Poland 2015
- Portugal 2019
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia 2018
- Slovenia 2017
- Sweden
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- North America (12)
- Bahamas
- Belize
- British Virgin Islands
- Costa Rica
- Cuba 2013
- Dominican Republic
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras 2016
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Africa (36)
- Algeria
- Angola
- Botswana 2016
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Lesotho
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
Data on conversion therapy is unclear, not applicable, or missing in 66 regions.
- Europe (9)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Faroe Islands
- Italy
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- San Marino
- Vatican City
- North America (20)
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Cayman Islands
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Montserrat
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Sint Maarten
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States
- Africa (21)
- Benin
- Burundi
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Eswatini
- Guinea
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mayotte
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Republic of the Congo
- Saint Helena
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Western Sahara
- Zambia
- Oceania (9)
- Australia
- Christmas Island
- Cook Islands
- Nauru
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- Pitcairn Islands
- Tokelau
- Wallis and Futuna
- Antarctica (1)
- Antarctica
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