A Global Resource to End Them
Conversion practices destroy lives. Learn what they are – and how we can end them
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Major medical and psychological associations worldwide condemn conversion practices as unethical, harmful, and ineffective.Affirming, professional support is available:
Last updated: November 17, 2025
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From Germany’s Federal Law (2020) — Section 4: Establishment of a Counselling Service
“The counselling service is aimed at all persons who are or may be affected by conversion therapy and their relatives… offered in multiple languages and anonymously.”
Support is part of justice. Every survivor deserves to heal.
What Are Conversion Practices?
Conversion practices are any sustained efforts to deny, suppress, or change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.They take many forms – psychological, spiritual, medical, and social.
Conversion practices are not a single technique or method – they are a range of interventions built on the false belief that people who are divergent or diverse in sexual orientation (SO), gender identity (GI), gender expression (E), or sexual characteristics (SC), need to be “fixed”, corrected, or realigned with a predetermined ideal. These efforts often appear under the guise of support, counselling, religious guidance, or “care”, making them difficult to identify and, for many survivors, even harder to escape.Around the world, medical associations, human rights bodies, and psychological societies have affirmed that conversion practices are ineffective, unethical, harmful, and rooted in discrimination. The definitions below reflect the global consensus: that conversion practices are a violation of dignity, autonomy, health, and human rights.To support clarity, we provide the full definitions from some leading institutions – not summaries – so readers can access the original language without navigating long policy documents on their own:
European Parliament:
Conversion practices involve three main types of interventions, related to specific beliefs and settings:- psychotherapeutic interventions, including behavioural and cognitive therapy and aversion-based practices (electro-shocks, nausea-inducing drugs, etc.), based on the belief that the sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression of LGBT+ persons are a mental or psychological illness, disorder, deviance, abnormality, that results from psychologic trauma or past negative experiences;- medical interventions, including pharmaceutical approaches, such as the administration of hormones or steroids (and in the past, even lobotomy and castration), based on the belief that the sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression of LGBT+ persons are a physical or biological illness, disease or disorder;- interventions based on religion, faith or spirituality, often involving the guidance from a spiritual councillor or leader (and that in extreme cases can involve subjection to punishments and even exorcism), and based on the belief that sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) of LGBT+ persons are the result of evil, a sin to be punished, expiated and prayed away.These interventions are based on the view that SOGIE can and should be changed, repressed or suppressed.However, conversion practices have proven to be substantially fraudulent, as there is no scientific evidence of their alleged effectiveness. Furthermore, they run counter the international trend of depathologisation of homosexuality, gender identity and gender expression, as recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and by medical professional associations in Europe and beyond, which have also condemned CP as medically unjustified, unethical and harmful.Scientific evidence proves that such practices are harmful, as they cause profound psychological damage, such as depression, anxiety, shame, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as physical damage. They are particularly harmful to LGBT+ minors, who require special protection due to their vulnerability and dependent status.Conversion practices are discriminatory, degrading and dehumanising, often based on homophobia, as their perpetrators consider that people who are LGBT+ are “wrong” and have less dignity compared to others. From a human rights perspective, such practices clearly interfere with and violate several fundamental rights of LGBT+ persons, notably the right to dignity, integrity of the person, privacy (which covers physical or psychological integrity and personal autonomy), expression, equality and non-discrimination, health (including sexual and reproductive health), the rights of the child, and often involve practices that amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, as well as torture.
Psychological Society of South Africa:
Conversion practices are harmful and discredited interventions aimed at changing or suppressing an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Based on the false belief that being LGBTQIA+ is abnormal, pathological, or sinful, these practices seek to ‘convert’ individuals to heterosexual or cisgender identities, and may include psychological, religious, or physical methods.These practices lead to severe mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.Visit za.conversionpractices.com to find out more about ending conversion practices in South Africa.
New Zealand Human Rights Commission:
Conversion practice are any practice, sustained effort, or treatment that is directed towards an individual because of the individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; and is done with the intention of changing or suppressing the individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.Conversion practices could include, but are not limited to:- using shame, coercion or other tactics to try to give a person an aversion to same-sex attractions, or to encourage gender-conforming behavior- encouraging someone to believe their sexuality or gender, or parts thereof, are defective or disordered, or- performing a deliverance, exorcism or prayer-based practice intended to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identityThere is no evidence that such practices can change sexuality or gender, and numerous studies have shown they can cause significant and long-lasting harm.People with lived experiences of conversion practices are often called survivors.
Some definitions have been extracted from multi-page institutional documents. Formatting is adapted for web accessibility; the wording remains verbatim.
Across cultures, conversion practices share one goal – to make people someone they are not.
These efforts cause harm precisely because they begin from the premise that people who are SOGIESC-divergent are unacceptable as they are.
About This Project
A global, independent resource on the evolving landscape of conversion practices.
ConversionPractices.com is a non-profit, non-partisan public resource designed to help individuals, researchers, practitioners, and organisers understand the global landscape of conversion practices.
This project curates definitions, legal developments, and research from verified institutional sources – without commentary, advocacy directives, or fundraising.The goal is simple:
to provide clear, accessible, evidence-based information on what conversion practices are, how they are defined internationally, and where they are being addressed in policy.This website is not an organisation, NGO, or campaign. It does not provide direct services, therapy, or legal advice. It also does not maintain active social media channels. Instead, it functions as a stable, long-term reference point for anyone seeking reliable information in a rapidly changing global context.If you are seeking support, please visit the dedicated Support section.
Where Conversion Practices Are Banned
Many countries have already recognised conversion practices as harmful and outlawed them.Others are still in the process of reform.
In the past decade, global awareness of conversion practices has grown significantly. As survivors have spoken out and research has expanded, governments across multiple regions have begun introducing laws to prevent these harmful interventions. Some countries have fully banned conversion practices; others have introduced partial protections, youth protections, or bans in healthcare settings.Alongside legal reforms, major medical and psychological associations worldwide condemn conversion practices as unethical and harmful, emphasising that sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics are natural variations of human diversity. This consensus has strengthened efforts toward safer, affirming support.Below is a snapshot of where legal protections currently stand, offering a global view of progress and remaining gaps:
| Continent | Total Countries | Countries with Some Form of Ban |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 54 | 0 |
| Asia | 49 | 1 |
| Europe | 50 | 9 |
| North America | 23 | 2 |
| Oceania | 14 | 4 |
| South America | 12 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 202 | 20 (9,9%) |
Last updated: November 1, 2025
Ban status includes national and subnational legislation as recognised by global tracking organisations.
For the latest map and tracking, see Global Equality Caucus – Legislative Progress
Legal protection is growing – but major gaps remain, particularly for people who are diverse in gender expression and sexual characteristics.
What the Law Says
The following excerpts come from national laws that define and prohibit conversion practices.They show how countries are framing protection and accountability.
Not all bans are equal. The strongest protect sexual orientation (SO), gender identity (GI), gender expression (E), and sex characteristics (SC) – ensuring no survivor is left behind.The level of protection offered by a ban depends primarily on the scope of the prohibited actions (the "what") and the scope of the persons/conduct prohibited (the "who" and "how"). The strongest laws tend to negate consent and ban incitement, while the weakest only ban coercion. The arrangements of bans in the tables below are from most protective to least protective.Note: Some legal texts have been translated using publicly available tools where official English versions were not published. Translations are provided for accessibility and may not capture every nuance of the original language.Where official documents were inaccessible, alternative reputable sources are cited.⚠️ indicates that the primary document could not be located or accessed.
Comprehensive National Bans (SOGIE)
| Country, Year, Continent | Quoted Definition | Who is Prohibited |
|---|---|---|
| Spain, 2023, Europe | "... methods, programs, and therapies of aversion, conversion, or counterconditioning, in any form, intended to modify...even with the consent of the person concerned or their legal representative." | "... natural and legal persons, both public and private ..." • "... associations that commit, incite or promote ..." |
| Malta, 2016, Europe | "... any treatment, practice or sustained effort – involuntary and, or forced that aims to change, repress and, or eliminate ..." | "... any person ..." |
| Portugal, 2024, Europe | "... acts aimed at altering, limiting, or repressing ..." | "Anyone ..." |
| Belgium, 2023, Europe | "... any practice consisting of a physical intervention or the exertion of psychological pressure, which...assumes or represents as aimed at suppressing or changing..." | "... the perpetrator ..." • "... committed by a person ..." |
| Cyprus, 2023, Europe | "... a practice or technique or...a service with the aim of changing, suppressing or eliminating ..." | "... a person who applies...or provides ..." |
| New Zealand, 2022, Oceania | "... any practice, sustained effort, or treatment...with the intention of changing or suppressing ..." | "A person who commits an offence ..." |
| Canada, 2021, North America | "... conversion therapy means a practice, treatment or service designed to change ... or suppress ..." — includes "non heterosexual sexual behaviour" | "Everyone who knowingly ..." |
| Iceland, 2023, Europe | "... unevidenced treatment for the purpose of suppressing or altering ..." | "Any person who, by compulsion, deception or threat, persuades an individual to undergo ..." |
| Greece, 2022 ⚠️, Europe | Legislation website inaccessible |
Partial National Bans (SOGI only)
| Country, Year, Continent | Quoted Definition | Who is Prohibited |
|---|---|---|
| Ecuador, 2018, South America | "... acts...committed with the intention of altering ..." | "Anyone who commits ..." |
| France, 2022, Europe | "The practices, behaviours or repeated statements intended to modify or suppress the SOGI, true or supposed ..." | "... any person having an authority ..." • "... several persons acting as perpetrators or accomplices ..." |
| Mexico, 2024, North America | "... any type of treatment, therapy, service or practice that obstructs, restricts, prevents, impairs, annuls or suppresses ..." | "... those who perform, impart, apply, oblige or finance ..." — "In the event that it is the father, mother or guardian of the victim who incurs the sanctioned conduct, the penalties of warning or warning will be applied to them for the consideration of the judge." |
| Norway, 2023, Europe | "... psychotherapeutic, medical, alternative medical or religiously based methods or similar systematic procedures with the intention of influencing the person concerned to change, deny or suppress ..." | "... anyone who violates another person by using ..." |
| Germany, 2020, Europe | "... all treatments...aimed at changing or suppressing SO or self-perceived GI (conversion therapy)." | Anyone who carries out..." • "... imprisonment...does not apply to persons acting as guardians or caregivers, provided that they do not grossly violate their duty of care or upbringing ..." |
Regional / Subnational Bans
| Country, Continent | Region, Year, Coverage | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Australia, Oceania | Victoria, 2020, SOGIE | Queensland, 2019, SOGIE | New South Wales, 2024, SOGI | South Australia, 2024, SOGI | Australian Capital Territory, 2020, SOGI | 4 of 6 states, 1 of 2 territories |
| United States of America, North America | State-level laws only – No national ban. See the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) for an up-to-date list of states with protections, restrictions, or gaps. | As of 2025, MAP reports that: • 23 states + Washington DC have protections for minors • Several others have partial or local protections • Many still have no restrictions at all |
Professional & Mental Health Prohibitions
| Region, Year, Coverage, Continent | Quoted Definition | Who is Prohibited |
|---|---|---|
| Israel, 2022, SOGI, Asia | "... any treatment or counseling provided in any way that purports to change a person's SOGI, including conversational, pharmacological, behavioral, or educational therapy ..." | "... a medical and health professional or...someone who presents themselves as a professional." |
| Brazil, 1999, "homosexuality", South America | "... shall not engage in any action that favors the pathologization of homoerotic behaviors or practices ..." | "Psychologists". (The resolution and its amendment(s) are not publicly accessible) |
| Paraguay, 2022, "identity or sexual choice", South America | "In no case can diagnosis be made in the field of mental health ..." | "... public and private health services ..." • "... properly trained mental health professionals ..." |
| Uruguay, 2017, SOGI, South America | "In no case may a diagnosis be established in the field of mental health on the exclusive basis of ..." | ... professionals, technicians and other health workers with competence in the field ..." |
| Argentina, 2010, "sexual identity", South America | "In no case can diagnosis be made in the field of mental health on the exclusive basis of ..." | "professionals" |
| Samoa, 2007, SO, Oceania | "... a person is not to be considered mentally ill ..." | "health care professional" |
| Fiji, 2010, SO, Oceania | "... a person is not to be regarded as having a mental disorder ..." | "health care professional", "medical practitioner" |
| Nauru, 2016 , SO, Oceania | "... someone is not be be regarded as mentally disordered ..." | "... health practitioner ..." • "... medical practitioner ..." |
| Albania, ⚠️ 2020, Europe | Conversion therapy is prohibited, according to Human Rights Watch, Reuters, and France24 – however, the Order of Psychologists’ resolution does not appear to be publicly available, and we have not been able to access the full text. | |
| Taiwan, ⚠️ 2018, Asia | Multiple academic and media sources reference a Ministerial Letter of Interpretation as restricting certain forms of “conversion therapy”, but it remains unclear whether the protection applies to minors only or to all individuals. We are continuing to seek direct confirmation and official documentation. | "... those who provide such treatment ..." • "... individuals ..." |
Last updated: November 1, 2025
Transparency gap:
Some countries claim bans but have not published legal documents.
Lack of accessible documentation undermines victims’ right to information and accountability.
Law is how societies define what care means – and what harm means.
How to End Conversion Practices
Ending conversion practices usually begins with professional recognition and public advocacy.
Common paths include:
Professional bodies declaring them unethical, issuing guidelines that reject the idea that sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics require “treatment”.
Human rights and advocacy organisations pushing for legal reform, documenting harms and supporting survivor-led campaigns.
Grassroots mobilisation, from community groups, families, and survivors sharing their experiences and calling for protection.
Journalistic exposure, where investigations reveal hidden practices, institutional failures, and systemic abuse.
Legislative momentum, as lawmakers consult evidence, listen to survivors, and adopt protections aligned with international human rights standards.
International influence, where regional bodies (e.g., the UN, African Commission, European institutions) issue statements and recommendations that shift national policy.
Affirming healthcare and education, replacing harmful ideologies with evidence-based support for people who are SOGIESC-divergent, including intersex and gender-diverse communities.
Monitoring and enforcement, ensuring that bans are implemented with real accountability – not just symbolic statements.
Examples:
🇫🇮 Finland: Citizens’ initiative (2024)🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Ongoing public campaign🇪🇺 European Union: ACT (Against Conversion Therapy) LGBT🇳🇿 New Zealand – Survivor-led advocacy preceding the 2022 ban🇨🇦 Canada – Survivor testimony influencing federal legislation
After the Ban: Staying Vigilant
Even after bans, practices can continue underground.
Research from Canada’s Community-Based Research Centre shows that ending conversion practices requires ongoing monitoring, enforcement, and community involvement. Key areas include:
1. Training for Key Sectors
Healthcare providers, mental health professionals, religious leaders, educators, and law enforcement must be trained to recognise conversion practices and understand their legal obligations.2. Continued Research
Governments and organisations should track where conversion practices persist, who is affected, and how criminalization or prohibition impacts survivors. Research must be intersectional and anti-oppressive.3. Strong First-Response Support
Survivors need accessible places to report cases, receive information, and access coordinated support. Centralised websites and “first point of contact” systems are essential.4. Regulation of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Regions without regulated mental health professions should establish oversight bodies to set standards, license practitioners, and enforce prohibitions.5. Public Accountability from Government
Authorities responsible for enforcing criminal or regulatory bans should publish clear, regular updates on their enforcement efforts, including training and resource allocation.6. Revenue Agency Oversight
Charities linked to conversion practices should be reported for non-compliance. Loss of charitable status can serve as a deterrent to organisations promoting harmful practices.7. Cross-Department Government Action Plans
Governments should adopt coordinated action plans across health, justice, education, and social services to track, prevent, and respond to conversion practices, with published progress reports.
Ending conversion practices is a process – one rooted in truth-telling, ethical courage, and the recognition that every person deserves to live without pressure to become someone else.
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