I still remember meeting Rohan (name changed), a 22-year-old cis gay man from a small town in southern India. His eyes were weary beyond his years. Upon discovering his love for a man, his family forced him to undergo conversion therapy. Rohan’s story was harrowing—electroshock treatments, forced isolation, and “corrective” rituals meant to rid him of his queerness. I now understood those weary eyes better. They contained in them the scars of that experience—scars that were not all physical, but also emotional. That weariness was caused by years of battling shame and self-doubt forced onto him by a world that refused to accept him.
Conversion therapy is a cruel and unscientific practice aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. While the term might have a new-age healing vibe to it, its methods are far from humane. In India, this so-called “therapy” ranges from emotional abuse and forced psychiatric interventions to more extreme measures like electroshock therapy and corrective rape. Despite the National Medical Commission (NMC) declaring it unethical in 2022, conversion therapy continues to thrive, leaving many young queer and trans people like Rohan with deep emotional and psychological trauma.
A Persisting Issue in Indian Society
In India, where societal and family pressures weigh heavily on individuals, LGBTQIA+ people often find themselves caught between their identities and the expectations of their communities. Parents, convinced by misleading information and societal norms, send their children to undergo “treatment” to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Families believe they are acting in the best interest of their children, not understanding that conversion therapy causes profound harm rather than offering any real “cure.”
Take the case of Shruti (name changed), a 29-year-old trans woman from Delhi, whose family forced her into psychiatric therapy to “fix” her gender identity. Over six months, Shruti was subjected to a series of sessions aimed at convincing her that her gender identity was wrong. The result? A shattered self-esteem, growing mistrust in healthcare, and months of depression.
Shaman Gupta, Founder of Misfyt Trans Youth Foundation, poignantly remarked, “Every story we hear reinforces that conversion therapy is not just an aberration; it is a systematic violation of our rights as human beings. We must stand together to ensure no one else faces such cruelty”
Though these practices violate fundamental human rights, they persist due to a lack of awareness, weak legal frameworks, and the deep-rooted stigmatization of LGBTQIA+ identities in Indian society. Many perpetrators, especially not licensed medical professionals, evade legal consequences.
The Need for Comprehensive Legal Protection
While the NMC’s 2022 ban was a significant step, it only addresses conversion therapy within the medical community. Religious figures, pseudo-therapists, and unlicensed individuals still operate freely, offering harmful “treatments” under different labels. Without comprehensive legislation that bans conversion therapy across all sectors—medical, psychological, and religious—these practices will persist.
Nikita Barton, a founding member of Misfyt Trans Youth Foundation and one of the campaign leaders, states, “Medical institutions need to be held accountable for the rampant violence they cause people. Holding them accountable will allow for more people to speak up against them and allow for those in the field who abuse their power to be removed from these pedestals.”
The damage inflicted by conversion therapy is often irreversible. Victims report long-term psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation. The trauma inflicted by these so-called treatments is profound and is often compounded by feelings of isolation and abandonment from family and community.
Our Call for Action
In response to this crisis, Misfyt Trans Youth Foundation is spearheading a national campaign called Action Against Conversion Therapy (ACT), alongside organizations like ILGA Asia, Yuvaa, Girl Up India, and others. This campaign addresses key authorities, including the National Medical Commission, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The campaign seeks a comprehensive ban that not only defines conversion therapy but also classifies it as professional misconduct and a criminal offence. It calls for the implementation of training programs to sensitize medical professionals and government officials regarding LGBTQIA+ communities. Additionally, it aims to establish a grievance redressal mechanism for individuals who have experienced conversion therapy.
Namitha Marimuthu, supermodel, actress, social activist, CEO of Afleem Foundation, and Ms Queen India has this to say, “Due to stigma and societal pressure, I was forced into a mental rehab centre, separated from the outside world for 8 months, and underwent treatment because of my gender at the age of 18—by my own parents for being a trans woman. After escaping, I embraced my life as a trans woman, and now I stand as a successful inspiration to everyone. Being trans is not something that can be cured or changed through hospitalization or treatment; it’s a part of who we are, rooted in nature.
Please stop the discrimination against the trans community”
Currently, there is limited understanding of what constitutes conversion therapy, leading many parents and religious entities to make extreme decisions without empirical evidence of success. The lack of gender sensitization training among medical professionals exacerbates the harm faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.
As Kanmani Ray, a lawyer and trans rights activist, points out, “A law must comprehensively define and prohibit conversion therapy, ensuring that all practitioners—be they religious groups, quacks, or licensed professionals—are held accountable for their actions”
The call to action is clear. We urge everyone to join the fight against conversion therapy. You can support this movement by signing the petition here: Ban Conversion Therapy.
Saurab Pandey has an important message: “In conversion therapy practices, it’s promised on a belief that an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed through psychotherapy, medication, electroshock, isolation, violence, and even exorcism. Please do not believe in such things, because even if you don’t, like all the seven colors of the rainbow, you can never change it. They are always gonna be there, so it’s better to accept and see the beauty in the rainbow (your kid) the way it is”
The issue of conversion therapy in India demands urgent attention and action from all sectors of society. The testimonies of survivors like Rohan and Shruti illustrate the profound impact of these practices on mental health and well-being. As the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights continues, it is crucial for policymakers, medical professionals, and the community to unite against conversion therapy in all its forms.
As Yash, the founder of Official Humans of Queer, powerfully stated, “Survivors of conversion therapy don’t just reclaim their lives; they rise as advocates for change. They show us that the fight against discrimination is far more than just legal—it’s personal. It’s about being seen and validated for who we are, not who someone else thinks we should be”
The push for comprehensive legal reforms and increased public awareness is essential to protect vulnerable individuals from the damaging effects of these practices. Only through collective effort and solidarity can we hope to eradicate conversion therapy, ensuring that no one is subjected to such violations of human rights. As the call for change grows louder, it is imperative that we listen, learn, and advocate for a society that embraces diversity and respects the dignity of all individuals.