Ban Conversion Therapy – Smash Homophobia
Alána Ní Dochartaigh, Lasair Dhearg activist from Derry, writes:
“In recent months there has been much discourse on social media concerning gay conversion therapy – a religious pseudoscientific practice aimed to convert or change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity from non-heterosexual or transgender to heterosexual and cisgender. The practice is considered ‘reparative’ to those who believe that members of the LGBTQ+ community (mainly young adults and teenagers) can be ‘fixed’. Yet, for many, the practice has a disturbing past of ‘correcting’ behaviours and desires had by LGBTQ+ persons. Many 20th century psychiatrists and doctors deemed this to be unnatural and disgusting, in addition to homosexual acts being criminalized until 1982 in the occupied six-counties and 1993 in the twenty-six county state.
Most, if not all tactics used in conversion therapy have been discredited by many healthcare professionals and organizations on a global scale as well as being considered extremely dangerous to those vulnerable enough to be held subject to such horrific tactics as it often leads to severe mental health issues, drug use, homelessness and even risk of suicide. The practices are often advocated by right-wing groups and faith fanatics despite the inefficient and harmful methods. It is not only harmful to the individual, but is morally wrong in a sense that it does not address the side effects which those subjected to it but rather allows for a distorted view of one’s self as well as perpetuating a sense of self-hatred among many young LGBTQ+ people.
Today, attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community have become more unprejudiced and open-minded, yet conversion therapy remains legal across the six counties. Leinster House was the first to take steps in banning conversion therapy in 2018, just 3 years after Same-Sex Marriage was legalized, thanks to the efforts of LGBTQ+ activists. The inhumane practice of Conversion therapy came back into the spotlight in the north when it was revealed that Queen’s University Belfast was involved in the practice and deployed it against LGBTQ students in the 60s and 70s on campus. Activists have long campaigned for the end of conversion therapy due to the psychological and physical harm it causes to those unlucky enough to experience it. The British government had promised the ban on conversion therapy under Theresa May’s Tory government in 2018 but have since failed to make any progress on the matter.
Whilst some in Stormont are rightly in favour of the prohibition of gay conversion therapy, there are also those within its halls organizing to defend this form of homophobic torture, such as the DUP’s Sammy Wilson. Wilson stated, “those who wish to avail of conversion therapy and those who wish to practice it should be allowed to do so.” Wilson isn’t alone within the DUP in supporting the legalization of conversion torture, with Nelson McCausland also promoting the practice for “curing” homosexuality. The DUP has historically always stood on the wrong side of history – representing the most organized form of regressive politics in Ireland.
Those such as Wilson who support the treatments of conversion therapy are stuck in a draconian mindset for a heteronormative society with the belief that such practices work and can ultimately cure homosexuality, though, they would be mistaken. This concept of ‘fixing’ LGBTQ+ members of society is simply heinous as you simply cannot fix something that isn’t broken. Conversion therapy has gone on for far too long and has brought nothing but harm to those affected by it. We stand in solidarity with those that have been subjected to the torture of conversion therapy and we urge those in support of respect and liberation for our LGBTQ+ brothers, sisters and those of all gender expressions – to join in the demand to end this harmful practice.
A Socialist Republicans duty is to fight for the liberation of all – from occupation, from capitalism, from patriarchy and homophobia!”
