Therapists Behind Bars: Criminalizing Gay‐to‐Straight Conversion Therapy
| Published date | 01 January 2021 |
| Author | James Taglienti |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/fcre.12562 |
| Date | 01 January 2021 |
THERAPISTS BEHIND BARS: CRIMINALIZING GAY-TO-STRAIGHT
CONVERSION THERAPY
James Taglienti
Conversion therapy is a practice used to “change”an individual’s sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual. Par-
ents who expose their child to conversion therapy drastically increase the child’s likelihood of developing anxiety, depression
and self-destructive behavior. Currently, 18 states ban mental health professionals from conducting conversion therapy. How-
ever, in those states, if a mental health professional conducts the therapy, the penalty is only a relatively small fine for
unprofessional conduct. Additionally, to report their therapist, victims must file a complaint, which poses difficulties for
minors. This Note proposes a criminal statute for mental health professionals who conduct conversion therapy.
Key Points for the Family Court Community:
Roughly 100,000 minors will be subjected to LGB conversion therapy before turning 18.
Minors who are subjected to conversion therapy are five-times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
LGB youth who are rejected by their families are eight-times more likely to develop anxiety,depression, and suicidal
ideation, and six-times more likely to use illegal drugs.
Conversion therapy amplifies the shame and rejection LGB youth already experience growing up, leading to self-
hatred.
Keywords: Ban; Bisexual; Child Abuse; Conversion Therapy; Criminal; Criminalize; Ex-Gay Therapy; Gay; Gay To
Straight Therapy; Lesbian; LGB; LGB Conversion Therapy;Minors; Parental Rights; Reparative Therapy.
I. INTRODUCTION
Samuel Brinton was the son of two Southern Baptist missionaries and grew up in Perry, Iowa.
1
When he was 12 years old, Sam accidentally came out to his father.
2
At school, one of Sam’s male classmates snuck in a Playboy magazine.
3
All of the middle school
boys were enamored with the magazine, but Sam was unaffected.
4
After school, he ran home to tell
his pious father that the other boys in school were sinning by reading a pornographic magazine.
5
Sam naively said to his dad, “I don’t have the same feelings that the other boys do when they look
at the magazine. I only get those feelings when I think of my best friend Dale.”
6
After a few seconds of silence, Sam’s father screamed in his face and punched him, knocking
him to the ground.
7
In that moment, Sam knew that his relationship with his father would be chan-
ged forever.
8
Sam’s parents thought they could cure his homosexual thoughts by physically reprimanding
him.
9
But, it did not work.
10
As a result, Sam’s parents sent him to see a conversion therapist in
Orlando, Florida.
11
In his first session, Sam’s therapist told him that all gay people had AIDS,
including Sam.
12
But, Sam’s therapist told Sam that he would keep his homosexuality a secret.
13
Since the government was killing all of the other gay kids that had AIDS, his therapist was trying
to protect him.
14
Accordingly, Sam did not tell anyone about his homosexual thoughts for fear of
being found and killed.
15
Corresponding: jmtaglienti96@gmail.com
FAMILY COURT REVIEW, Vol. 59 No. 1, January 2021 185–199, doi: 10.1111/fcre.12562
© 2021 Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
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