Sexual Orientation Change Efforts

Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) refers to the dangerous and unethical forms of treatment aimed at changing one’s sexual orientation or behavior. SOCE has been called by many names, including, but not limited to, conversion and reparative therapy. The goal of this form of treatment is to assist persons in suppressing their sexual orientation so as to be more socially congruent with the mainstream heterosexual culture; often, this is done for religious purposes. The paradigm in which SOCE has been conceived pathologizes various sexual identities and behaviors while advancing the idea that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons are damaged and in need of repair. As such, no major mental health association has endorsed SOCE, and many have drafted resolutions or position statements cautioning against ...