Although same-sex marriage has been introduced in this country, the prevailing societal notion is that homosexuality or bisexuality is not "normal." Heterosexuality is considered the "norm." Homosexuality or bisexuality is not considered the "norm"—and therefore must be "cured." What has emerged from this attitude is called reparative therapy —
… a psychotherapeutic method to convert homosexual inclinations into heterosexual ones.
Reparative therapy attempts to "convert" homosexuals
Most often, dubious organizations offer courses designed to eradicate "homosexual thoughts." These organizations view homosexuality as an illness and homosexual desires as "misbehavior" that must be "corrected" and "cured." The "patients" are forced to acknowledge their supposedly misguided sexual orientation as a "flaw."
Participants in these "conversion courses" have also reported cold showers, nude dancing, prayers, and drumming. A weekend in the wilderness is also supposed to "help" reverse sexual orientation. Furthermore, therapy sessions are intended to contribute to a "reorientation." Homosexual patients are encouraged to suppress their feelings and desires.
Radical Christian organizations, such as the Society for Life Orientation, which—as the ARD television program "Fakt" discovered— also includes some members of the CDU (Christian Democratic Union).
Essentially, these "conversion therapies" are a quick and easy way for these organizations to make money. In the USA, homosexuals sometimes pay as much as $600 (approximately €490) for a single weekend of "conversion therapy" (see HERE for a personal account). In Germany, it can even happen that health insurance companies pay for "gay conversion therapy." While health insurance companies do not recognize homosexuality as an illness, many do pay for psychotherapy sessions because the therapeutic goal is not explicitly stated in the billing—neither for children, adolescents, nor adults.
700,000 people in the USA have undergone such therapy at some point in their lives.
Estimates from the Williams Institute show that half of those receiving so-called "reparative therapy" were under 18 years old. This therapy aims to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBT people. Those offering such therapies still believe that homosexuality is a disorder that needs treatment. In addition to therapists, religious leaders also offer these therapies. The church is certainly a major problem. For some Christians, being gay or lesbian is a sin. The Williams Institute estimates that 57,000 young people, currently between the ages of 13 and 17, will undergo such religious therapy. Many US states have passed laws prohibiting reparative therapy for a fee. However, religious treatments are often free and therefore not illegal. The study further shows that these laws have allowed 6,000 young people to avoid therapy.
Several health organizations in the US are warning of the potential dangers of reparative therapy. It is harmful to the body and, moreover, ineffective, says, for example, the American Medical Association.
