No Such Thing as Acceptable Sexual Orientation Change Efforts: An International Human Rights Analysis

Abstract Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) have received well-founded criticism from multiple fronts for their discriminatory effects and variegated harmful consequences on LGBTQ + people. International human rights institutions had voiced their concern over extreme forms and coercive SOCE, labeling them as torture. However, the legal status of “soft” non-coercive practices (i.e., psychological interventions willingly sought by consumers) is less clear. This article argues that a proper understanding of the prohibition on torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and of the positive obligations attached to the right to equality requires banning SOCE in all its forms, even when pursued by consenting consumers.