The scope and nature of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression change efforts: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Background Sexual orientation and gender identity and expression change efforts (SOGIECE) are a set of scientifically discredited practices that aim to deny and suppress the sexual orientations, gender identities, and/or gender expressions of sexual and gender minorities (SGM). SOGIECE are associated with significant adverse health and social outcomes. SOGIECE continue to be practiced around the world, despite denouncements from professional bodies and survivors, as well as calls for legislative advocacy to prohibit SOGIECE and protect SGM. There are substantial gaps in the availability of consolidated international research to support and refine legislative proposals related to SOGIECE, including those currently underway to enforce bans in Canada and elsewhere. We therefore propose the first systematic review of international data on SOGIECE that will outline the scope and nature of these practices worldwide. Specifically, we aim to estimate how many SGM have been exposed to SOGIECE, which sub-groups of SGM experience higher rates of SOGIECE, and how estimates of SOGIECE vary over time and place. In addition, we aim to describe when, where, how, and under what circumstances SGM are exposed to SOGIECE. Methods To locate an interdisciplinary swath of papers, nine (9) bibliographic databases will be searched: Medline (OVID), Embase (OVID), PsycInfo and Social Work Abstracts via EBSCO, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, LGBTQ+ Source, and Proquest Dissertations & Theses Global and Sociology Collection (ProQuest). A gold standard search will be developed for Medline and adapted to the other databases. Grey literature will be searched at relevant websites, and reference harvesting will be performed in relevant SOGIECE scientific consensus statements. Two authors will independently screen abstracts/titles, screen full texts, abstract data, and apply risk of bias assessments. A narrative synthesis will be implemented to summarize findings. Discussion This review will address the gap in synthesized data regarding the prevalence of SOGIECE, social correlates of SOGIECE, variations of SOGIECE over time and place, and the circumstances, settings, and time-points of SOGIECE exposure. Findings from this review will directly inform ongoing and new legislative efforts to ban SOGIECE and other interventions that aim to stem SOGIECE practices and support SOGIECE survivors. Systematic review registration Registration with PROSPERO can be found under the registration number: CRD42020196393.

A national transgender health survey from China assessing gender identity conversion practice, mental health, substance use and suicidality

“…Aside from emotional abuse, GICP could encompass rejection based on gender identity and produce internalized stigma, all risks that are strongly associated with suicidality 26 . Conversion therapy was also associated with poor self-esteem, internalized stigma and discrimination 5,6,14,20 . In our current findings, regarding TNG individuals who reported GICP, higher self-esteem was shown to be a protective factor for the three primary outcomes (mental health, suicidality and NSSI), while fear of GICP was shown to be the risk factor for the three primary outcomes.…”

“…between mental health concerns and conversion therapy 4,5 , and the mental health aftermath is often associated with an elevated rate of selfharm, suicidality, depression and anxiety 6,7 . However, most studies in the literature have focused on the relationship between sexual minority groups and sexual orientation change efforts [8][9][10][11] , and insufficient studies have focused on the influence of gender identity conversion efforts (GICE) on TNG individuals 7 .…”

Humanistic and Economic Burden of Conversion Therapy Among LGBTQ Youths in the United States

“…Sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE) (also called conversion therapy ) are dangerous, discredited practices rooted in false beliefs that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) is pathologic . Based on evidence that SOGICE is ineffective and detrimental, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and other medical, mental health, and human rights organizations formally oppose it …”

“…exual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE) (also called conversion therapy) are dangerous, discredited practices rooted in false beliefs that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) is pathologic. 1 Based on evidence that SOGICE is ineffective and detrimental, 2 the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and other medical, mental health, and human rights organizations formally oppose it. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Minority stress theory contends that disproportionate rates of health issues among LGBTQ individuals stem from chronic stress and mental health detriments caused by increased exposure to social bigotry and rejection.…”

Gender identity change efforts: A summary.

“…Moreover, the Human Rights Campaign (n.d.) reported that "conversion" therapies or "reparative" therapies are targeted toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth and are practices that seek to change their sexual or gender identities to fit within a heteronormative and gender normative status quo. In addition, in a recent systematic review, Kinitz et al (2021) defined sexual orientation and gender identity and expression change efforts (SOGIECE) as a "set of scientifically discredited practices that aim to deny and suppress the sexual orientations, gender identities, and/or gender expressions of sexual and gender minorities" (p. 1). As summarized in this 2021 publication, persons who were assigned male at birth to override any feelings of having a more female or effeminate gender identity or expression to take on identities that are more aligned with their gender assigned at birth-that is, to take on identities as more masculine men.…”