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What are conversion practices?

Ashley explained that conversion practices is a 鈥渇uzzy鈥� term because these practices exist on a spectrum, but at their root, conversion practices are a systemic attempt 鈥渢o prevent people from being queer or trans.鈥� 

Sherred spoke about how conversion practices exist within the home. At a young age Sherred showed gender nonconformity, and in a 鈥渃ute鈥� way was labelled a tomboy鈥� until it was not so cute. His parents punished him by forcing him to wear pink and participate in femininity. Therapists enable these behaviours from parents by 鈥渃oaching鈥� them to have their child conform to gender norms, which is devastating for the child, as Ashley explained. 

Laws banning conversion practices must be specific

Ashley argued that the federal ban on conversion practices requires more specificity to be effective. They questioned how conversion practices are conceptualized and emphasized the need for 鈥渋nstitutional scaffolding鈥� to discourage harmful practices. Sherred added that mechanisms must not incorporate law enforcement because this would be unsafe for trans folk. He also asserted that governments must take responsibility for funding conversion practices.

Thinking critically about consent to conversion

The issue of "consent" raises further areas of concern when it comes to justifying conversion practices. Sherred shared that he consented to conversion therapy as a child because he 鈥渄idn鈥檛 want to hate himself鈥� Society has convinced us we hate ourselves, but it鈥檚 society that makes us hate ourselves.鈥� As Ashley noted, Canada does not lawfully allow people to consent to harm, and consent is 鈥渘ot the metric鈥� of what is ethical and not. Further, people are not told they are being subjected to conversion therapy, nor do professionals outline the risks, the research, and the widely contested perspectives on these practices, so Ashley interrogates the validity of consent under these circumstances. Children are also not of age to consent鈥攑arents consent on their behalf, which calls for further scrutiny from an ethical standpoint. 

What should Canada do to ensure a ban on conversion practices?

Ashley pointed to Australia, which uses laws shaped by survivors, as a nation that has made greater strides than others, though they too are not perfect. They explained that the US approaches to banning conversion therapy are 鈥渆xtremely conservative and risk-averse鈥� because of limitations imposed by their constitution. Canada does not face the same constitutional challenges as the US, so Ashley advises against looking to the US as an example.

Ashley and Sherred iterated that laws require a mechanism for enforcement. Sherred believes the BC Human Rights Tribunal should be responsible for enforcement as they have 鈥渟et precedence鈥� that other Canadian human rights courts can take note of when it comes to trans rights. Salway suggested that it would need more funding to do so.

An audience member asked whether gender identity training in schools would be a positive step forward. If trans people are administrating and conducting the training, then Sherred believes it is a good idea. Ashley believes education is important but highlights that education also needs 鈥渁ccountability and enforceability structures.鈥� They noted that education is not particularly useful without action. Sherred continued to explain that education is required in many ways, including for teachers and for judges who impact the lives of trans people. A multi-prong approach that disallows doctors from denying life-saving medical procedures and provides spaces鈥攖hat are not foster care鈥� for trans youth facing abuse is needed, Sherred said.

Additional resources

To close the event, Ashley and Sherred named some organizations that people can look into and support if they would like to know more about trans rights and fight against conversion practices.