ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Gemma Hickey credits their experience with conversion therapy for sending them down a path toward advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
That's why Hickey is among those happy to see the federal government is following through on a promise Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously made to introduce legislation to ban the controversial practice in Canada.
Conversion therapy is used to change a person's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual, primarily through psychological or spiritual intervention. The Canadian Psychological Association formally opposes the practice, noting scientific research does not support the efficacy of conversion therapy.
Last Friday, the federal justice department announced Attorney General David Lametti and Diversity and Inclusion and Youth Minister Bardish Chagger would make a joint announcement Monday afternoon about a bill titled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Conversion Therapy). The bill matches the title of one introduced in the Senate last December that would make it illegal to advertise conversion therapy services and to benefit financially or gain any other form of benefit from providing conversion therapy to anyone under the age of 18. Full details of Monday's announcement were unavailable prior to The Telegram's print deadline.
Related
- Ches Crosbie calls for conversion therapy ban in Newfoundland and Labrador
- 'Akin to torture': Federal government eyes conversion therapy criminalization
Teenage experience
Hickey, who identifies as non-binary and received one of the first gender-neutral passports in Canada, grew up in a devotedly Roman Catholic family in St. John's. Living then under their sex assigned at birth of female, Hickey found it difficult as a teenager to come to terms with their sexual feelings in light of what they were told in church.
"I thought, based on what I learned in church about sexuality, that I had some sort of disease and that I was evil, and so I thought I needed to change."
Hickey's family doctor recommended a therapist — a Catholic who incorporated religious beliefs into her therapy practice. Catholic theology was a big part of the process, and the therapist prescribed a variety of literature focused on changing Hickey’s sexuality. Hickey covered this experience in a chapter of their 2019 autobiography "Almost Feral," published by Breakwater Books.
"I thought, based on what I learned in church about sexuality, that I had some sort of disease and that I was evil, and so I thought I needed to change." — Gemma Hickey
"She was basically saying that homosexuality was a premature sexuality and that when I became fully mature sexually, I would be a heterosexual and that this was possible through therapy with her."
While the experience did set Hickey on a path toward activism on a wide spectrum of fronts, it also harmed them at a deeply emotional level.
"I tried to kill myself when the therapy didn't work," Hickey said.
Hickey combined liquor and pills before passing out. Hickey spent the first-half of their senior year of high school recovering in hospital. A psychiatrist there and other hospital staff helped set them on a better path.
"When I left the hospital that day, I vowed to devote the rest of my life to ensuring that LGBTQ oppressed youth never have to experience what I have to experience."
Torture, not therapy
Charlie Murphy is a co-facilitator for Pflag-St. John's support group meetings and co-founder of the non-profit Quadrangle NL group working to establish an LGBTQ+ community centre.
"I think it's an extremely good thing that they're moving forward with taking action and banning this kind of harmful and destructive kind of therapy," Murphy said. "It's sad it's even being called a therapy, because it's not a therapy — it's torture."
While neither Hickey nor Murphy are sure conversion therapy is happening in Newfoundland and Labrador, they both agree the potential for people to practice it will always be there unless laws change.
"For me, I went through that therapy in the '90s. That wasn't so long ago," Hickey said. "And there are people across the country who have gone through it a lot more recently. ... But because there's no outright ban, it still has potential to harm youth."
"I don't want to make a blank statement that there isn't any, because there are always groups that are doing whatever they're doing without being publicized or very public about it," Murphy said. "There are still people in Newfoundland and Labrador who are very threatened and aren't educated around the queer and trans, 2S (two spirit), LGBTQ community members of the province."
Provincial response
Hickey and Murphy both want to see the provincial government take action in light of impending federal legislation. Hickey is aware all three political parties with representation in the House of Assembly are on the same page when it comes to conversion therapy, so they are optimistic something will get done legislatively.
In a statement issued to The Telegram Monday afternoon, the provincial government said it is already working to address the issue.
"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to embracing and celebrating the diversity of all people, as the principles of fairness, respect and equality remain at the forefront of how we govern. We support the Government of Canada’s steps to amend the Criminal Code to ban conversion therapy. The provincial government participates in a federal/provincial/territorial criminal justice working group that has recently been focusing on the issue. In collaboration with the community, the departments of Justice and Public Safety, Health and Community Services and Children, Seniors and Social Development are working together to review current legislation to determine next steps. There is no MCP coverage — or any financial support provided by our government — for conversion therapy."
Twitter: @CBNAndrew
