[danlev]

"Conversion therapy" is a controversial therapy used to "convert" gay people "back to straight." The process is almost always heavily influenced by religion, and can be very harmful, psychologically. Some gay people are forced into this against their will, by their parents. There have been cases where people have committed suicide or had suicidal thoughts.

The organizations who run the therapy are super sketchy as well.

Wikipedia has some extensive information on it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_therapy

[nickysielicki]

Banning snake oil is never a part of a free society.

Whether you want to admit it or not, some people commit themselves to these centers and come out straight / believing they're straight/cisgendered/etc. Their motivations are generally because they come from a culture/family that is not accepting of who they really are. They themselves probably hate who they truly are. So they pay thousands of dollars for the chance of tricking themselves into believing that things are different.

Does it commonly fail? Of course.

But does there exist someone in the world who is living a happier life because they attended this therapy? I believe it's possible. And for that reason, I think banning it is wrong.

I imagine that choosing between being accepted by your community/family and being unhindered in expressing your sexuality is a very difficult and personal decision. I don't think any lawmaker has the right to make it for you.

[byuu]

> Banning snake oil is never a part of a free society.

The problem is parents forcing it on their kids. Set the minimum age to 22 or so (where most kids will be finished with college, since most kids are dependent on their parents for that now too), and it would be a lot more palatable.