[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/clamping-down-on-conversion-therapy\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/clamping-down-on-conversion-therapy\/","headline":"Clamping down on conversion therapy","name":"Clamping down on conversion therapy","description":"France is the latest country to join the list of countries that have legislation in place to ban conversion therapies. It passed a new law on 27 January criminalising the use of \u2018conversion therapy\u2019, which aims to change or reprimand the sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual.\u00a0 The new law has been approved […]","datePublished":"2022-01-27","dateModified":"2022-04-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/emma-wong\/#Person","name":"Emma Wong","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/emma-wong\/","identifier":150,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ed4746d6279c6b0d26b99121b9e0043953b3372673d0cc775ced722a719d835?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ed4746d6279c6b0d26b99121b9e0043953b3372673d0cc775ced722a719d835?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TheHomeGround Asia","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","width":640,"height":640}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/ClampingDownonConversionTherapy_Feature_Unsplash.png","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/ClampingDownonConversionTherapy_Feature_Unsplash.png","height":900,"width":1600},"url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/clamping-down-on-conversion-therapy\/","commentCount":"2","comment":[{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/clamping-down-on-conversion-therapy\/#Comment1","dateCreated":"2026-04-28 10:21:33","description":"Super insightful and fresh perspective.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"puma womens fashion shoes","url":"https:\/\/globalshoepalace.com\/product-category\/women\/puma-women-shoes"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/clamping-down-on-conversion-therapy\/#Comment2","dateCreated":"2026-04-24 10:34:08","description":"I love the structure of your explanation.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"salomon shoes womens sale","url":"https:\/\/globalshoepalace.com\/product-category\/women\/Salomon-Women-Shoes"}}],"about":["Community","Local","Sex & Gender","Short Read","Singapore","UGC (User Generated Content)"],"wordCount":971,"articleBody":"France is the latest country to join the list of countries that have legislation in place to ban conversion therapies. It passed a new law on 27 January criminalising the use of \u2018conversion therapy\u2019, which aims to change or reprimand the sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual.\u00a0The new law has been approved unanimously by the National Assembly, with 142 votes to 0, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports.\u00a0The law is also supported by French President Emanuel Macron, who tweeted, \u201cLet\u2019s be proud\u2026 Because being yourself is not a crime, because there is nothing to be cured.\u201d\u00a0La loi interdisant les th\u00e9rapies de conversion est adopt\u00e9e \u00e0 l’unanimit\u00e9 !Soyons-en fiers, ces pratiques indignes n’ont pas leur place en R\u00e9publique. Parce qu\u2019\u00eatre soi n\u2019est pas un crime, parce qu\u2019il n\u2019y a rien \u00e0 gu\u00e9rir.\u2014 Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 25, 2022The bill comes into effect in the next two weeks after it is signed off by President Macron.\u00a0The global sceneFrance\u2019s move to ban the use of conversion therapy comes as a wave of countries placed bans on conversion therapy and launched consultations as far back as 1999.\u00a0Brazil was the first to introduce the trailblazing ban on conversion therapy in 1999. It was soon followed by several others, including Norway, Argentina, Taiwan, Switzerland and Germany.\u00a0More recently, Canada, India, Chile, and some states in Australia and the United States have also introduced laws prohibiting conversion therapy.\u00a0What is conversion therapy?Conversion therapy is an attempt to change a person\u2019s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, according to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).With such a practice coming under increased scrutiny, practitioners often change their terminology to avoid detection. It is now referred to as \u201cSexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE)\u201d and \u201cSexual Attraction Fluidity Exploration in Therapy (SAFE-T)\u201d.\u00a0In his report, United Nations (UN) Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Victor Madrigal-Borloz said, \u201cThe degrading nature of many conversion therapy practices, including physical abuse, electro-shock therapy, pseudo-medical procedures, and the use of anti-LGBT epithets and slurs, contribute to an overall dehumanising environment towards persons with diverse sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI)\u201d.\u00a0A global survey, highlighted by the envoy, suggested that four out of five individuals subjected to the practice are younger than twenty-five years old, and almost half are below the age of eighteen.\u00a0It was also found that conversion therapy is more likely to increase suicide attempts, anxiety, and damage an individual\u2019s self-esteem \u2014 all without succeeding in changing a person\u2019s sexual orientation.Conversion therapy in SingaporeIn Singapore, there is currently no law that explicitly states that conversion therapy is illegal.\u00a0There are, however, certain laws such as the Penal Code, which states that causing hurt is punishable; or the Children and Young Persons Act, where those who physically or sexually abuse young individuals and cause them to suffer from emotional or physical harm can also be punished. These protect the LGBTQ+ individuals to some extent from the malicious practices of conversion therapy.\u00a0As these conversion sessions often take place in very private settings and many of the victims are too young that they do not have the courage to or knowledge on how to report such incidents, it is extremely difficult to apprehend those who practice the therapy.Despite the limited pool of information on who practices conversion therapy in Singapore, some therapeutic professionals and religious practitioners have been alleged to carry out such therapies.\u00a0Mr Leow Yangfa, a social worker and executive director of Oogachaga, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that provides counselling services for the local LGBTQ+ community, told Yahoo! that it was not uncommon to see individuals who experienced harmful conversion therapies from previous therapists or religious leaders as they show noticeable symptoms of shame and trauma.\u00a0Emblazoned across a sea of pink lights created by thousands of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents were three simple yet powerful words \u2013 We Are Ready \u2013 a clarion call for inclusion, diversity and equality. (Photo source: Pinkdot SG)Stances of local organisations\u00a0In a 2020 written statement, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said it \u201cexpects doctors and other healthcare professionals to practice according to evidence-based best practice and clinical ethics, and to consider and respect patients\u2019 preferences and circumstances (including sexual orientation) when providing care. For individuals who seek care with a desire to change one\u2019s sexual orientation through clinical means, healthcare professionals should care for and support these individuals with empathy and sensitivity.\u201dMOH also said that the public can provide feedback or a formal complaint to the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) should they encounter doctors who are \u201cacting unethically or providing inappropriate treatment\u201d.\u00a0The Singapore Psychological Society (SPS) is the first professional organisation in Singapore to take an official stance on conversion therapy. It\u00a0condemns the practice of conversion therapy, highlighting that \u201ccurrent research indicates the inefficacy and possible harmful effects of conversion therapy\u201d.\u00a0SPS recommends that psychologists use evidence-based therapy when treating clients struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity.Evidence-based therapy entails \u201cexploring and affirming an individual’s sexual orientation and gender identity\u201d, as well as \u201cexploring assumptions and goals that may have originated from societal pressures, managing stress, and promoting wellbeing.\u201dThis piece is a user contribution by Emma Wong, an aspiring lawyer who is currently awaiting entry into university. TheHomeGround Asia\u2019s user-generated content is a community engagement initiative to lend a voice and platform for people within the community to share their stories and ideas that represent the sentiments and views of ordinary people. We aim to connect people by providing unique insights and points of view from the community, giving readers the opportunity to see things from a local perspective.Join the conversations on TheHomeGround Asia\u2019s Facebook and Instagram, and get the latest updates via Telegram. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Destinations","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Singapore","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/\/singapore\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Clamping down on conversion therapy","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/clamping-down-on-conversion-therapy\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]