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# Indian government urged to ban conversion therapy
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/indian-government-urged-to-ban-conversion-therapy/
- Published: 2020-10-19T07:30:09.000Z
- Updated: 2020-10-18T07:37:11.000Z
- Description: On Monday 12 October, an LGBTQ+ rights group in the Indian province of Kerala – named Queerala – sent a petition to the area’s high court urging local authorities to ban conversion therapy.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: Mental Health, News, Politics, ban conversion therapy, India, LGBTQ, LGBTQ India, LGBTQ+ rights

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/lgbt-india-1.jpg)

On **Monday 12 October**, an LGBTQ+ rights group in the Indian province of **Kerala** – named **Queerala** – sent a petition to the area’s high court urging local authorities to ban [conversion therapy](https://www.glaad.org/conversiontherapy?ref=scenemag.co.uk): any practise which seeks to alter someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. According to **[The New Indian Express](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/oct/16/unscientific-and-illegal-yet-conversion-therapy-rampant-2210730.html?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**, the group was prompted by the suicide of **Anjana Harish**, an openly queer woman who publicly discussed her traumatic experiences at a mental health centre in **Palakkad** where she was subjected to the controversial practice.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/queerala-600-400.jpg)

A representative of Queerala suggested conversion therapy is still widely practised in India due to misinformed perceptions of the LGBTQ+ community, saying: *“Parents are misinformed that it is a psychiatric disorder. Several panic and force their kids into therapy. Due to the power disparity, teenagers are unable to fight back and end up in the dehumanising process.”*

Another Queerala member said *“sexual orientation designs our identity and self-esteem. When these are stigmatised and shamed, it impacts confidence and creates a mental imbalance”* hence why many struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts after undergoing the practise. Despite the **Indian Psychiatric Society** discrediting conversion therapy in 2018, it continues to be legal in the country; Queerala are hoping the petition will change this.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/lgbt-india-b-1.jpg)