Episode 14: The Opposite of Therapy

A medically discredited practice known as “conversion therapy” seeks to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ+ people. Medical experts long ago reached the conclusion that this practice is harmful, and many of the leading founders of “ex-gay” organizations have apologized and renounced their own work in the past decade. So why are South Carolina’s most powerful politicians pushing to bring it back? 

This week on the podcast, we’re diving deep with survivors of conversion therapy and the Columbia locals who showed up in droves to oppose the City of Columbia’s recent decision to rescind a ban on juvenile conversion therapy. What does it mean when the capital city takes a big step backward like it did this spring?  

Links to organizations mentioned in the episode:  

• Harriet Hancock Center: https://www.harriethancockcenter.org/  
• PFLAG: https://pflag.org/findachapter/ 
• ACLU of South Carolina: https://www.aclusc.org/en/news/5-things-know-about-conversion-therapy-columbia-south-carolina 

Articles referenced: 

• “I survived conversion therapy. Columbia shouldn’t support it.” https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/free-times/opinion/column-conversion-therapy-survivor-columbia-sc-ban/article_66bb062f-ac20-4169-ae45-1e7c93461dfa.html
• “'Taught to hate myself': How gay conversion therapy in SC is thriving” https://www.postandcourier.com/news/taught-to-hate-myself-how-gay-conversion-therapy-in-sc-is-thriving/article_3b53124c-abb9-11e8-8428-ef7b8427bd63.html
• “One of the nation's largest conversion therapy networks is disbanding” https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/one-nation-s-largest-conversion-therapy-networks-disbanding-n1231574

Music on this episode is by Daft Hartley and A Spot on the Hill. 

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