"I Was Afraid of Going to Hell": Ottawa Tackles Conversion Therapies
The Trudeau government will introduce legislation Monday to amend the Criminal Code to prohibit conversion therapy,
a controversial practice aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation.
a controversial practice aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation.
Louis Blouin
Published on March 8, 2020
Gabriel Nadeau has a traumatic memory of his first conversion therapy.
Now 26 years old, he is living his homosexuality to the fullest. However, he suffered deeply from it during his adolescence.
Raised in a very religious family, he became concerned at the age of 12 about his attraction to men.
Published on March 8, 2020
Gabriel Nadeau has a traumatic memory of his first conversion therapy.
Now 26 years old, he is living his homosexuality to the fullest. However, he suffered deeply from it during his adolescence.
Raised in a very religious family, he became concerned at the age of 12 about his attraction to men.
Influenced by his environment, Gabriel himself asked his mother to undergo conversion therapy in an attempt to "heal" himself.
his homosexuality. A cleric performed some kind of exorcism.
He started shouting in my ears: "In the name of Jesus, demon, come out," he says.
Gabriel remained deeply marked by this experience which lasted about thirty minutes.
I was crying, not so much because I was being shouted in my ears. I was crying because I didn't want to be like that,
I so didn't want to be gay. I was so desperate to change, even at 12.
his homosexuality. A cleric performed some kind of exorcism.
He started shouting in my ears: "In the name of Jesus, demon, come out," he says.
Gabriel remained deeply marked by this experience which lasted about thirty minutes.
I was crying, not so much because I was being shouted in my ears. I was crying because I didn't want to be like that,
I so didn't want to be gay. I was so desperate to change, even at 12.
Seeing that it wasn't working, he underwent two more therapies at 16 and 18 paying hundreds of dollars out of his own pocket.
I was afraid of going to hell," he explains.
Looking back, he now realizes how damaging it was for him. It's a social support to self-rejection," he notes.
Also, in my case, it was depression, I had suicidal thoughts," adds the man who has since distanced himself from religion.
I was afraid of going to hell," he explains.
Looking back, he now realizes how damaging it was for him. It's a social support to self-rejection," he notes.
Also, in my case, it was depression, I had suicidal thoughts," adds the man who has since distanced himself from religion.
Conversion therapies or sexual reorientation therapies are psychological or spiritual interventions designed to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, whether through speech therapy, medication or a combination of both.
Changes to the Criminal Code
The Trudeau government will introduce a bill in Ottawa on Monday to address this practice.
During the last election campaign, the Liberals promised amendments to the Criminal Code to prohibit this dangerous and scientifically disapproved practice, particularly among minors. According to our information
Some of the measures proposed by the government will also apply to adults.
We do not choose our sexuality. You don't choose who you're attracted to," Chagger insists,
Federal Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth.
The Trudeau government will introduce a bill in Ottawa on Monday to address this practice.
During the last election campaign, the Liberals promised amendments to the Criminal Code to prohibit this dangerous and scientifically disapproved practice, particularly among minors. According to our information
Some of the measures proposed by the government will also apply to adults.
We do not choose our sexuality. You don't choose who you're attracted to," Chagger insists,
Federal Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth.
Science shows that this practice does not work. It's destructive, damaging, and it shouldn't exist...
The federal government could take inspiration from Bill S-260 introduced in the Upper House by Senator Serge Joyal in April 2019.
The bill proposed to make it an offence to advertise conversion therapy services for a fee. He also proposed to make it an offence "to receive a material benefit, including a monetary benefit...from the provision of conversion therapy to a person under the age of 18 years".
His legislative proposal carried a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated in 2012 that this type of therapy is
"a form of therapy that is not considered to be a criminal offence.
a serious threat to the health and rights of those affected.
The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) has indicated that it opposes any therapy aimed at repairing
or convert a person's sexual orientation, regardless of age.
The CPS points out that these interventions can lead to negative consequences such as distress, anxiety and depression.
Already, some provinces, including Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, have taken steps to ban conversion therapies. Cities such as Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton have also banned the practice.
The bill proposed to make it an offence to advertise conversion therapy services for a fee. He also proposed to make it an offence "to receive a material benefit, including a monetary benefit...from the provision of conversion therapy to a person under the age of 18 years".
His legislative proposal carried a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated in 2012 that this type of therapy is
"a form of therapy that is not considered to be a criminal offence.
a serious threat to the health and rights of those affected.
The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) has indicated that it opposes any therapy aimed at repairing
or convert a person's sexual orientation, regardless of age.
The CPS points out that these interventions can lead to negative consequences such as distress, anxiety and depression.
Already, some provinces, including Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, have taken steps to ban conversion therapies. Cities such as Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton have also banned the practice.
Opposition willing to cooperate
For the time being, the main opposition parties in Ottawa seem to welcome the initiative,
even if they're waiting to hear about the proposed legislation.
Without commenting on possible support for the Liberal bill, the Conservatives say that they are opposed to any form of
of pseudo-therapy aimed at forcibly changing an individual's sexual orientation, wrote a spokesperson.
We will take into account the reforms to the Criminal Code proposed by the Liberals," he added.
The Bloc Québécois is in favour, as long as the jurisdictions of the provinces and Quebec are respected.
The New Democratic Party supports an amendment to the Criminal Code and calls for the development of
of a pan-Canadian plan to end these therapies.
Challenge announced
Some groups are suspicious of the proposed reform. If the law is passed, Campaign Quebec-Life, a religious organization,
would be prepared to challenge it in court in the name of freedom of conscience and religion.
Its president, Georges Buscemi, would even be ready to challenge it. I cannot speak for the therapists themselves, but when we do good and the government says it is bad, I would tend to say that we must do good and assume the consequences.
...Even if it means breaking the law," Buscemi said.
If a person feels uncomfortable with their sexual orientation, who is the government to tell them,
No, you're not allowed to change it, your orientation?
For the time being, the main opposition parties in Ottawa seem to welcome the initiative,
even if they're waiting to hear about the proposed legislation.
Without commenting on possible support for the Liberal bill, the Conservatives say that they are opposed to any form of
of pseudo-therapy aimed at forcibly changing an individual's sexual orientation, wrote a spokesperson.
We will take into account the reforms to the Criminal Code proposed by the Liberals," he added.
The Bloc Québécois is in favour, as long as the jurisdictions of the provinces and Quebec are respected.
The New Democratic Party supports an amendment to the Criminal Code and calls for the development of
of a pan-Canadian plan to end these therapies.
Challenge announced
Some groups are suspicious of the proposed reform. If the law is passed, Campaign Quebec-Life, a religious organization,
would be prepared to challenge it in court in the name of freedom of conscience and religion.
Its president, Georges Buscemi, would even be ready to challenge it. I cannot speak for the therapists themselves, but when we do good and the government says it is bad, I would tend to say that we must do good and assume the consequences.
...Even if it means breaking the law," Buscemi said.
If a person feels uncomfortable with their sexual orientation, who is the government to tell them,
No, you're not allowed to change it, your orientation?
According to him, there is scientific evidence that it is possible to change a person's sexual orientation.
Jocelyn Gadbois of the Alliance Arc-en-ciel de Québec is thrilled with these comments. I thought we'd gotten out of that speech a long time ago," exclaimed Mr. Gadbois, who said that LGBTQ+ people are sick. According to him, this is proof that Ottawa must intervene. In his view,
it is essential to tell homophobic groups that their harmful and harmful practices are absolutely unacceptable.
He is surprised that organizations that offer these therapies are based in Canada and are openly advertised on the Internet.
Gabriel Nadeau, for his part, is convinced that the federal government must send a clear signal
to prevent others from going through what he has experienced.
Violence, especially against a child, is illegal, it's criminal," he says.
In his view, the federal initiative is a kind of inner healing. I am touched.
I am glad the government is taking a stand on this, he concludes.
For him, this reform would be synonymous with justice, for those years when he was deprived of his pride.
Jocelyn Gadbois of the Alliance Arc-en-ciel de Québec is thrilled with these comments. I thought we'd gotten out of that speech a long time ago," exclaimed Mr. Gadbois, who said that LGBTQ+ people are sick. According to him, this is proof that Ottawa must intervene. In his view,
it is essential to tell homophobic groups that their harmful and harmful practices are absolutely unacceptable.
He is surprised that organizations that offer these therapies are based in Canada and are openly advertised on the Internet.
Gabriel Nadeau, for his part, is convinced that the federal government must send a clear signal
to prevent others from going through what he has experienced.
Violence, especially against a child, is illegal, it's criminal," he says.
In his view, the federal initiative is a kind of inner healing. I am touched.
I am glad the government is taking a stand on this, he concludes.
For him, this reform would be synonymous with justice, for those years when he was deprived of his pride.