Conversion Practices

In December 2021, Canada passed a law banning conversion practices–discredited and abusive “therapies” designed to change or repress non-heterosexual and non-cisgender identities, behaviours and desires. This victory comes from years of concerted advocacy by 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

so... what now?

We’re developing a set of resources responding to and building on the ban on so-called “conversion therapy.” These projects will be focused on educating and empowering 2SLGBTQ+ communities, as well as health and social service providers, with tools and campaigns such as “Know Your Rights” resources, tips on identifying and disrupting conversion practices, survivor support resources, and more.

Phase 1:

Steering Committee Recruitment and Tool Development (April-May)

Phase 2:

Data Collection (June-August)

Phase 3:

Resource Development (September-January)

Phase 4:

Knowledge Mobilization (February)

Survey

This survey is now closed. Thank you for your interest.

We want to know what YOU want to learn about spotting, combatting, and healing from conversion practices! Participation is entirely voluntary and optional, and no identifiable info collected in this survey will be shared or made public.

If you have any questions or concerns about this project you can contact alice@wisdom2action.org

A practice, treatment or service designed to
 
  • change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual;
  • change a person’s gender identity to cisgender;
  • change a person’s gender expression so that it conforms to the sex assigned to the person at birth;
  • repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour;
  • repress a person’s non-cisgender gender identity; or
  • repress or reduce a person’s gender expression that does not conform to the sex assigned to the person at birth.

 

(This definition is from the bill which banned these practices in Canada)

We’re developing a set of resources responding to and building on Canada’s recent ban on conversion practices. These practices, sometimes called “conversion therapy,” are harmful and discredited practices aimed at changing diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions to heteronormative and cisnormative standards. These projects will be focused on educating and empowering 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and anyone else falling under this broad identity umbrella) communities, as well as health and social service providers, with tools and campaigns such as “Know Your Rights” resources, tips on identifying and disrupting conversion practices, survivor support resources, and more. We want to know what YOU want to learn about spotting, combatting, and healing from conversion practices!

We are Wisdom2Action (W2A), a social enterprise and consulting firm specializing in community engagement, creative facilitation, research and evaluation, knowledge mobilization and equity, diversity and inclusion. We are a proudly 2SLGBTQ+ owned and operated firm, with a deep commitment to anti-oppression and social justice informing every aspect of our work. With our team of passionate and talented people, we work alongside our clients and partners to help them facilitate change and strengthen communities.

No identifiable info collected in this survey will be shared or made public. All information will be anonymized to ensure confidentiality. You have the right to stop completing this survey at any time. You can also answer all or only some of the questions. Participation is entirely voluntary and optional. If you have any questions or concerns about this survey you can contact alice@wisdom2action.org.

Support Resources:

If reading about this project has left you looking for someone to talk to, here are some resources we recommend:

CT Survivors Connect: Canadian, survivor led, online support group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1648968095491569

https://twitter.com/SurvivorsCt?

 

Conversion Therapy Dropout Network: US-based (but open to Canadians) survivor support network

https://www.conversiontherapydropout.org/

 

CT Survivors: US-based (but open to Canadians) survivor support network

https://ctsurvivors.org/

Note: All of these services will connect you to someone trained in offering mental and emotional support. However, we are mindful that some mainstream supports may not be well versed on conversion practices.

 

LGBT Youthline: confidential and non-judgemental peer support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth

Call: 1-800-268-9688

Text: 647-694-4275

Live chat and other resources: https://www.youthline.ca/

 

Trans Lifeline: trans-led peer support

Call: 1-877-330-6366

Website: https://translifeline.org/

 

Interligne hotline: 24/7 Francophone 2SLGBTQ+ support line

1 888 505-1010

aide@interligne.co  

Website: https://interligne.co/ 

 

Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 24/7 hotline for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience

Call: 1-800-721-0066

 

Wellness Together Canada: National mental health support service

1-866-585-0445

Text WELLNESS to 741741

Website: https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA/service/talk

 

Kids Help Phone: National, 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French

1-800-668-6868

Text CONNECT to 686868

Or live chat online: https://kidshelpphone.ca/

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