What can I do if I encounter conversion therapy?

In the documentary "Xiaodi," a underage transgender girl, was sent by her parents to an "Internet addiction treatment center." Her parents hoped that the center's "conversion therapy" could transform her into a "normal boy." During the period of receiving "conversion therapy," Xiaodi suffered from both psychological and physical torture. Xiaodi was only 17 years old when she was sent to the "Internet addiction treatment center." Xiaodi's experience is not unique.

 

In 2014, the Beijing LGBT Center and the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Psychology jointly launched the "China LGBT Mental Health Survey Report." Among the 1,653 valid samples, 9.14% of individuals reported considering "conversion therapy." The survey found that the two main reasons for receiving "conversion therapy" were "for parents" and "to conform to social norms and live a normal life."

 

In fact, "conversion therapy" has been denied at the legal level in China. There are also increasing amounts of research in the scientific community that demonstrate the inefficacy and harmfulness of "conversion therapy" on individuals. However, due to parental and other social pressures, "conversion therapy" has become a "last resort" for some individuals and families. Many sexual minorities are still forced to undergo similar "conversion therapy." This not only causes suffering for the individual but also irreversible harm to their families.

 

Today, there are various methods of "conversion therapy" in society, and many sexual minority individuals are often at a loss. In the process of documenting and studying the experiences of survivors of "conversion therapy," we have realized that to eliminate the persecution of sexual/gender minorities by "conversion therapy" at its source, a practical guide to respond to "conversion therapy" is needed. Through the efforts of many individuals and organizations concerned about "conversion therapy," we have compiled the "What to Do When Encountering Conversion Therapy" handbook, hoping to help sexual/gender minority individuals who are currently or will soon face "conversion therapy."

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What we want to do

 

１.We want to provide a more comprehensive popular science reading material and response guide for sexual/gender minority individuals who are currently or will soon face "conversion therapy," guiding them to correctly understand and recognize themselves.

 

２.We want to call for social attention to the harm and negative impact that "conversion therapy" brings to sexual/gender minority individuals and their families.

 

３.We want to guide family and friends who care about sexual/gender minority groups to correctly understand their sexual orientation and gender identity, and pay attention to their psychological health.

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From the handbook, you can read that:

In the first part of the handbook, we systematically summarize the origin and development of "conversion therapy," its scope, current situation, main forms, relevant cases, and scientific knowledge, in order to help answer the community's questions and confusion about "conversion therapy."

 

In the second part of the handbook, readers can find practical advice and methods for preventing and responding to "conversion therapy." The content includes: correctly assessing the risk level of personal identification of "conversion therapy," action recommendations for different stages of coping with "conversion therapy," and what to pay attention to when adjusting mindset and seeking help.

 

In the appendix, we also provide a series of reference resources, self-assessment scales, legal document templates, and case databases.