TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - Religious Conversion Practices and LGBTQA + Youth
JO  - Sexuality research and social policy
A1  - Jones, T.
A1  - Power, J.
A1  - Hill, A.O.
A1  - Despott, N.
A1  - Čarman, M.
A1  - Jones, T.W.
A1  - Anderson, J.
A1  - Bourne, A.
SP  - 1155
EP  - 1164
VL  - 19
IS  - 3
N2  - INTRODUCTION: Multiple jurisdictions are debating responses to United Nations calls for banning attempts at conversion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and asexual (LGBTQA +) peoples' identities to fit religious norms. This paper aimed to examine Australian LGBTQA + youths' experiences and outcomes of religious conversion practices attempting to change or suppress their gender or sexuality. It explored how attending conversion practices related to demographic characteristics and outcomes. <br><br>METHODS: A 2019 online health and social well-being survey promoted via diverse social media questioned 6412 LGBTQA + Australians aged 14-21 years on their experiences of sexuality or gender change or suppression practices. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed to understand relationships between exposure to conversion practices and demographic, socio-behavioural, and health and well-being measures. <br><br>RESULTS: Whilst most participants had never attended counselling, group work, programs or interventions aimed at changing their sexuality or gender identity, 4% had attended such conversion practices. Analyses showed associations between engaging with conversion practices and (1) specific demographics (being cisgender male, multi-gender-attracted, unemployed, affiliated to a religion at the personal or household level); (2) social experiences (increased exposure to social rejection, negative remarks and harassment); (3) socio-behavioural outcomes (decreased education, sport and housing opportunities) and (4) negative health and mental health outcomes (including increased suicidality and self-harm). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The paper showed that conversion practices are correlated with poor well-being outcomes, providing arguments for expanding inclusive health and mental health services allowing for affirming religious and non-religious identities for LGBTQA + youth. Policy Implications: The paper provides evidence supporting bans on conversion practices. © 2021, The Author(s).<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1553-6610
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00615-5
ID  - ref1
ER  -