Dangerous practices that seek to "cure" LGBT+ people are silently happening all across Asia, leaving survivors with permanent physical and psychological trauma.
Children and teenagers are especially vulnerable to efforts to "correct" their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
That's why we're pushing to include specific protections for LGBT+ people in several countries in Asia.
Together with ILGA Asia, All Out has launched a major campaign calling for a legal ban on so-called “conversion therapies” in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
“Conversion therapy” is an umbrella term used to describe harmful practices that attempt to modify a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
These practices are deeply harmful interventions that rely on the medically false idea that LGBT+ people are sick. They can inflict severe pain and suffering, and may result in long-lasting psychological and physical damage.
The strategies applied to try to "correct" LGBT+ people can be difficult to document and scrutinize, as they usually happen behind closed doors and confidentiality agreements are required.
But, in general, they all include psychological violence. In some cases, physical violence is also present.
Some of the tactics used as reported by survivors:
Emotional blackmail
Public embarrassment
Forced fasting
Forced nudity
Physical punishment and penance
Internment in clinics or camps
Abusive or otherwise questionable methods used within psychotherapy or counseling
Long cycles of forced prayer
Religious counseling
Hypnosis
Strenuous and abusive physical labor
Exorcism
Masturbatory reconditioning
Hormone intake without consent
Forced intake of nausea inducing drugs
Use of psychoactive drugs without medical prescription
Electroshock
“Corrective rape”
“Conversion therapies” have serious and permanent consequences. They include:
Suicidal thoughts
Suicide attempts
Depression
Eating disorders
Social isolation
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Feelings of worthlessness
Feelings of inadequacy
Difficulty trusting people and institutions
Self-loathing
Self-harm
Anxiety
Loss of self-esteem
Sexual dysfunction
These brave activists and survivors of so-called “conversion therapies” have come forward to talk about their experiences and to fight for a complete ban on these practices in Asia.
By elevating their voices, we are raising awareness on the horrific reality of “conversion therapies” in Asia. Listen to their stories of survival and resilience.
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Tashi from India
When he was 22, Tashi’s parents forced him to see a “healer” that was supposed to “cure” him.
Tarin Tani from Bangladesh
When Tarin Tani was a student, she came out to her family as a trans woman. This is when the torture started. “I would have never believed my parents could be so cruel,” she says.
Sudipta Das from India
Sudipta was under 18 years old, when their agency was taken away after they were outed and put in "conversion therapy". “I had to learned how to survive without the love of the people who are supposed to sort of love you and care for you,” they said.
Dimithri Wijesinghe from Sri Lanka
Dimithri is a human rights lawyer, fighting for justice for victims of “conversion therapies” and a ban on these practices in Sri Lanka.
Arisdo Gonzalez from Indonesia
Arisdo Gonzales is a survivor of "conversion therapy" in Indonesia. Today, he works with a youth organization that helps young LGBT+ people like him.
All Out, together with our local partners, continues to fight for a comprehensive ban of so-called “conversion therapies” worldwide. Some of these campaigns have already been successful.
COLOMBIA
Join 29,000 people from around the world who have already signed our petition to urge the Colombian government to approve the “Inconvertibles” law and ban “conversion therapies” in Colombia!
BRAZIL
"Conversion therapies" can amount to torture. That’s why we're pushing to include specific protections for LGBT+ people in the Brazilian anti-torture law.
UK
In 2018, the UK Government pledged to stamp out "gay cures." But since then nothing has happened.
NETHERLANDS
Artem, an All Out member has started a petition to protect LGBT+ people in the Netherlands from "conversion therapy."
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Xiao Zhen and All Out demanded the World Health Organization to condemn gay "cures.” Over 100,000 people signed. He won his case against a “clinic” in China and was invited to a special meeting with the WHO. But gay "cure" clinics are still popping up in China.
SWITZERLAND
Harmful conversion therapies are still permitted in Switzerland. An activist on the ground calls for a nationwide ban.
COLOMBIA
Thanks to the support of more than 70,000 people from around the world, we were able to introduce a bill to the Colombian Congress to start taking action to stop efforts to "change" sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity (ECOSIEG).
FRANCE
In 2021, the Fédération LGBT in France started a petition and more than 12,000 All Out members signed. On January 25, 2022, the law banning "conversion therapies" was passed.
GERMANY
Germany passed a partial ban on conversion therapies in 2020, after All Out, along with German LGBT+ rights groups, launched a petition.
All Out is able to run and win campaigns like these thanks to the steadfast support of our most dedicated members: Equality Champions. Through a small, monthly donation, they give us the support we need to jump into action and fight tirelessly for the safety and dignity of LGBT+ people around the world.
Become an Equality Champion and fuel the fight to end so-called “conversion therapies” with a monthly gift today.
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