LGBTQ+ Veterans: Conversion Therapy Bans in 2026

The conversation around conversion therapy, particularly its impact on vulnerable populations like LGBTQ+ veterans, is often clouded by significant misinformation. Many misconceptions persist, creating barriers to effective support and perpetuating harmful practices, especially concerning youth protection within the military community.

Myth 1: Conversion Therapy is a Legitimate Form of Treatment for Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity

The idea that conversion therapy offers a valid path to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is a persistent and dangerous myth. This practice, sometimes referred to as “reparative therapy” or “ex-gay therapy,” operates under the false premise that being LGBTQ+ is a mental illness or a developmental flaw that can be “cured.” However, every major professional medical and mental health organization has unequivocally rejected this notion. The American Psychological Association (APA), for example, states clearly that homosexuality and bisexuality are not disorders and that conversion efforts have not been shown to be effective. Instead, they often inflict significant psychological distress. Similarly, the American Psychiatric Association has maintained its stance against conversion therapy since 1998, affirming that such practices are unethical and harmful.

For LGBTQ+ veterans, who may already face unique mental health challenges stemming from service, the promotion of conversion therapy can be particularly damaging. It invalidates their identity, exacerbates feelings of shame or guilt, and can lead to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Ethical therapy focuses on helping individuals explore their identity, cope with societal stigma, and build resilience, not on attempting to change who they are. The distinction here is critical: affirming therapy supports mental health, while conversion therapy undermines it.

Myth 2: Conversion Therapy Bans Infringe on Religious Freedom

A common argument against conversion therapy bans is that they restrict religious freedom, suggesting that faith-based counselors should be allowed to practice according to their beliefs. This argument often misrepresents the scope of these bans and the ethical obligations of licensed professionals. Most bans, particularly those aimed at protecting youth, target licensed practitioners who offer conversion therapy for a fee, operating under the guise of legitimate mental healthcare. These regulations do not typically prohibit religious leaders from offering spiritual guidance or counseling within their religious doctrines, provided they are not presenting it as licensed medical or psychological treatment.

For instance, states like Georgia have seen increasing discussions around this topic. While a statewide ban on conversion therapy for minors has not yet been enacted, many municipalities, including Atlanta and Savannah, have implemented local ordinances prohibiting licensed therapists from engaging in such practices with minors. These local efforts reflect a growing consensus that protecting vulnerable minors from documented harm outweighs claims of professional religious freedom when professional licensure is involved. The focus is on preventing practices that are medically unsound and ethically questionable, especially when targeting veteran youth who may be particularly susceptible to coercive interventions due to family or community pressures. The ACLU consistently advocates for these bans, emphasizing their role in safeguarding public health and individual rights.

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Myth 3: Conversion Therapy Only Affects Minors, So Bans Don’t Impact Adult Veterans

While many conversion therapy bans specifically address minors, the pervasive belief that adults, including LGBTQ+ veterans, are immune to its harm or that bans are irrelevant to them is a serious oversight. The trauma inflicted by conversion therapy, regardless of age, can have lifelong consequences. Many adults who underwent conversion therapy as adolescents or young adults report lasting psychological damage, including severe self-esteem issues, chronic depression, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. These individuals often require extensive, affirming mental health support to process their experiences.

Plus, the existence of conversion therapy, even if primarily targeting youth, perpetuates a societal narrative that being LGBTQ+ is something to be “fixed.” This narrative impacts adults by fostering internal conflict, contributing to internalized homophobia or transphobia, and creating an environment where seeking authentic self-expression feels unsafe. For veterans, who may already grapple with issues of identity and belonging post-service, this added layer of societal pressure can be particularly isolating. Advocacy groups like Out & Equal Workplace Advocates highlight that creating inclusive environments across all age groups and sectors, including veteran services, is essential to counter the harmful messages perpetuated by conversion therapy.

Myth 4: There’s No Scientific Evidence That Conversion Therapy Harms Individuals

The assertion that there’s no concrete evidence of harm from conversion therapy is demonstrably false. Decades of research and countless personal testimonies contradict this claim. Studies consistently link conversion therapy to significant negative mental health outcomes. A report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, for instance, synthesizes numerous studies demonstrating that individuals who undergo conversion therapy are at a substantially higher risk for suicide attempts, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The American Psychological Association’s Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation also concluded that “the data do not support the efficacy of efforts to change sexual orientation and suggest the potential for harm.”

Consider the potential impact on veteran youth. These young individuals, many of whom are working through the complexities of military family life or considering their own service, deserve protection from practices that undermine their mental well-being. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made strides in offering inclusive healthcare, and the ongoing push for complete protections against conversion therapy aligns with their mission to provide well-rounded care. Ensuring that service members and veterans, particularly the younger generation, have access to affirming care without fear of coercive or harmful interventions is a matter of both ethical practice and public health.

Myth 5: Conversion Therapy is a Rare, Fringe Practice That Doesn’t Affect Many People

While awareness has grown, leading to more bans, the notion that conversion therapy is a rare, isolated practice affecting only a handful of individuals is inaccurate. Data suggests that hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals, including many young people, have been subjected to these practices. A 2019 Williams Institute study estimated that approximately 700,000 LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. have undergone conversion therapy at some point in their lives, with nearly half of those receiving it as adolescents. These numbers underscore the widespread nature of the problem, affecting diverse communities, including those associated with the military.

For LGBTQ+ veterans, the impact can be particularly insidious. They may encounter pressure to conform to traditional gender roles or sexual norms within certain military subcultures or veteran communities. This pressure, combined with past trauma, can make them vulnerable to conversion therapy, whether explicitly or implicitly offered. The ongoing efforts by organizations like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to track and advocate for bans across states and municipalities highlight that this is far from a fringe issue. It is a real and present threat to the mental health and safety of countless individuals, including those who have served our nation.

The pervasive misinformation surrounding conversion therapy actively harms vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ+ veterans and their families. Understanding the documented risks and advocating for complete protections against these practices is essential for fostering environments of genuine support and healing.