In this research, patients who had conversion therapy have discussed their experiences. (Image credit: Getty) )
According to studies into so-called conversion therapy in Ireland, a gay guy was informed that buying rugby shirts and going out for beers with his dad would help convert him to the straight gender.
The study also emphasized how conversion methods have a devastating impact on LGBTQ+ people in the nation; victims have described these practices as “horrendous, destructive, and detrimental.”
Seven people who had conversion therapy—five in Ireland and two abroad—were questioned in-depth about their experiences.
One gay man claimed that buying rugby jerseys and going out for beers with his dad to talk sports and establish common ground were encouraged.
He added: “I was encouraged to act like those I respected in terms of being masculine and stuff like that …the idea (being) that you were attracted to these people because you wanted to be them.”
Another victim told the researchers that he was prescribed anti-depression medication as part of their “treatment”.
‘I had a lot of internalised homphobia. They played on that’
Now, however, he believes this was not to treat depression, but for a completely different reason.
“What I now suspect is that the real reason I was being given these, was because they are libido suppressants. It had nothing to do with their properties for any form of depression or any form of anything else,” he explained.
Other experiences the researchers were told about include conversion-therapy practitioners turning people’s internalised homophobia on themselves, especially if they were religious.
“I hope this doesn’t sound like I’m blaming myself in any way, but you know I certainly was very clear that I didn’t want to be gay. I mean I did have a lot of internalised homophobia. I think they played on that,” one victim said.
