Psychologists slam promotion of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people
MANILA, Philippines — The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) condemned the promotion of conversion therapy and conversion-type practices targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.
Through its LGBTQ+ Psychology Special Interest Group, PAP said “a substantial body of scientific and professional literature has established that efforts intended to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity lack credible evidence or efficacy.”
Its statement came after it received reports regarding a supposed advertisement for a training program that appeared to promote approaches potentially consistent with conversion therapy or conversion-type practices.
PAP, a professional organization committed to promoting ethical, evidence-based and LGBTQ+ affirmative psychological practice, condemned such practices, pointing out that the approaches advertised are linked to risks of significant psychological and psychosocial harm.
Conversion therapy practices that seek to change, suppress or pathologize sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics perpetuate stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ+ Filipinos.
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Based on a survey conducted by Statista across 31 countries, the Philippines had the highest share of people identifying as LGBTQ+ at 11%, while the United States and Thailand came in second at 10% each.
LGBTQ+ acceptance in the Philippines is relatively high but remains divided, with only one in four Filipinos classified as having high acceptance. Some 40.1% remain in the low-acceptance category, while 35% are in the middle ground.
As revealed in the 2016 National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children, LGBTQ+ children faced higher risks of physical violence at 75%, psychological violence at 78.5% and sexual violence at 33.8%.
For PAP, professional education and practice have to be “grounded in established ethical standards” and should “respect human dignity, safeguard the well-being of those whom our professions serve, and be grounded in current scientific evidence.”
“Professional training must never be used as a vehicle for practices that undermine the rights, dignity, and psychological well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals,” it said.
PAP called on professionals and organizations offering training programs to ensure that their content, methods, claims and trainers’ qualifications are consistent with applicable ethical standards and current evidence-based practice.
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It warned that if the promotion or conduct of such practices persists, it will not hesitate to seek appropriate ethical and professional accountability mechanisms and, when warranted, explore remedies provided by law and state regulations.
“We call on the public and prospective participants to exercise discernment when evaluating professional services and training programs, particularly those making claims concerning sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics,” it said.
PAP likewise called on professional regulatory bodies and professional associations to remain vigilant and take appropriate action when practices within their respective professions perpetuate stigma, discrimination or psychological harm against LGBTQ+ individuals. /dm
