From Harm to Health Equity: Advancing Policy Action Against Conversion Therapy in India
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Abstract
Conversion therapy, an unethical pseudoscientific practice aiming to alter an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, continues to widely inflict harm. The National Medical Commission’s (NMC) 2021 ban on conversion therapy by medical professionals marked a significant step, but failed to address practitioners outside its purview, including religious leaders and family members. In this article, we explore the public health ramifications of conversion therapy in India, its inconsistency with global health standards and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and advocate for a holistic national policy. We propose inclusive reforms through legal, educational, and public health frameworks to better protect LGBTQIA+ individuals.
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