Conversion therapy

Conversion therapy is banned in 24 countries.

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  • Banned
  • Not banned
  • Varies by region or ambiguous
  • Unknown or N/A

Recent Changes

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

24
Banned
24 regions (12%)
Banned
136
Not banned
136 regions (69%)
Not banned
38
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
38 regions (19%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
Europe
20%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Banned
10 regions (20%)
Not banned
36 regions (72%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
4 regions (8%)
Oceania
21%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Banned
3 regions (21%)
Not banned
9 regions (64%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
2 regions (14%)
South America
42%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Banned
5 regions (42%)
Not banned
6 regions (50%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
1 regions (8%)
North America
4%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Banned
1 regions (4%)
Not banned
12 regions (52%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
10 regions (44%)
Africa
2%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Banned
1 regions (2%)
Not banned
36 regions (67%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
17 regions (32%)
Asia
9%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Banned
4 regions (9%)
Not banned
37 regions (84%)
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
3 regions (7%)

Progress Over Time

Number of countries with equality for conversion therapy over the past 60 years.
There are no recent changes about Conversion therapy.

Conversion therapy by Country

Banned

Conversion therapy is banned in 24 regions.

  1. Asia (4)
  2. India 2021
  3. Israel 2022
  4. Taiwan 2018
  5. Vietnam 2022
  6. Europe (10)
  7. Albania 2020
  8. Belgium 2023
  9. Cyprus 2023
  10. France 2022
  11. Germany 2020
  12. Greece 2022
  13. Iceland 2023
  14. Malta 2016
  15. Slovenia
  16. Spain 2022
  17. North America (1)
  18. Canada 2022
  19. Africa (1)
  20. Mauritius 2017
  21. Oceania (3)
  22. Fiji 2015
  23. New Zealand 2022
  24. Samoa 2007
  25. South America (5)
  26. Brazil 2018
  27. Chile 2021
  28. Ecuador 2014
  29. Paraguay 2022
  30. Uruguay 2017

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