“When I tell people what I’ve been through they are absolutely shocked. So many people have no idea that this is still happening. There’s just such little understanding of what these practices mean and just how diverse our experiences are.”
Prevalence of Conversion Practices in Canada
People are often shocked to learn that conversion practices are still happening in Canada today, and that despite recent changes, they continue to occur in healthcare and social services, and in religious communities and homes.
As many as one in ten, or roughly 47,000 gay and bisexual, men and trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary people have experienced conversion practices. These findings come from data collected in the 2019 edition of CBRC’s Sex Now survey (does not include people who identify as cisgender women). Experiences were higher among non-binary and trans respondents (20%), those ages 15-19 (13%), immigrants (15%), and racial/ethnic minorities (11-22%). Other notable findings from the data indicate that 67% experienced conversion practices in religious/faith-based settings and that 72% started conversion practices before the age of 20. (see the full research article)
Trans PULSE Canada’s 2019 study revealed that overall, 11% of trans and non-binary people have experienced conversion practices. A 2022 study in Quebec (Blais M.) reports that 25% of respondents experienced change efforts (SOGIECE), and less than 5% experienced conversion practices. These studies also found higher prevalence of conversion practices among those who are Indigenous, intersex, transgender, non-binary, asexual, and people of colour.
For more information or research on the prevalence of conversion practices in Canada, see the Research section of this site.
Where Queer and Trans People Experience Conversion Practices
“My church was my only known and trusted community—in which I was hiding. I felt all alone in the universe.”
“My government therapist would intentionally comment on how he appreciated my body becoming more masculine. Those are some of the worst memories I experienced.”
Conversion practices are experienced by people in:
Religious-based contexts: through faith leaders and teachers who provide faith-based counselling and psychotherapy, programs labelled as discipleship, the study of religious texts, or camps; practices that target so-called sexual addictions; or by offering exorcisms.
Healthcare-based contexts: through medical and mental healthcare providers, social workers, therapists/counsellors, social services, or child protection workers, who misdiagnose and/or medicate, refuse to provide referrals to affirming providers, practice gender-exploratory-therapy and/or Freudian psychoanalysis of parental relationships.
It is important to note that most survivors’ experiences happen in multiple contexts.
What & How
Learn more about conversion practices, the impacts and harms they cause, and how to identify them.
Why & Who
Learn about the internal motivations and external factors that lead people to engage in conversion practices. Read statements from survivors themselves and link to stories about their experiences.
Supports & Resources
Find downloadable resources and links to more information for practitioners and service providers, family and friends, survivors, and for people struggling or currently engaged in conversion practices, or believing they need to change.