Healing from the 'Gay Cure': The Legacy of Conversion Therapies and Recovery Strategies in Brazil.

Abstract

Conversion therapies, also known in Brazil as "gay cure," comprise a set of practices aimed at altering, suppressing, or denying sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions that deviate from cisheteronormative norms. Internationally referred to as Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression Change Efforts (SOGIECE), these interventions persist in Brazil despite regulatory prohibitions, particularly within religious and unregulated contexts. Empirical evidence demonstrates their ineffectiveness and enduring psychological harm. This article advances the field by shifting the analytical focus from condemnation to recovery, highlighting an underexplored dimension in Brazilian literature: survivor-centered healing. Through a critical narrative review, the study examines the historical foundations and psychosocial impacts of SOGIECE, articulating recovery strategies forged by survivors in response to trauma. It proposes an integrative, intersectional approach encompassing psychological care, spiritual reconciliation, and community-based support systems. The analysis underscores the relevance of trauma-informed mental health services that affirm sexual and gender diversity. Furthermore, it calls for structural responses, including the legal prohibition of SOGIECE and implementation of inclusive public policies to prevent perpetuation. By bridging international ethical frameworks with Brazil's specific sociocultural and regulatory context, this study contributes to the advancement of survivor-informed practices and reinforces the need for systemic protection against conversion efforts.