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Damned if I Do: Gay Men and the Wounds of Conversion Therapy.

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Title: Damned if I Do: Gay Men and the Wounds of Conversion Therapy.
Authors: Santo, Nick (AUTHOR)
Source: Psychoanalytic Inquiry. Jul2025, Vol. 45 Issue 6, p548-557. 10p.
Subjects: Conversion therapy, Mental health, Rhetoric & politics, LGBTQ+ people, Self-perception, Emotional trauma, Affirmative action programs, Identity (Psychology)
Abstract: Research shows that affirmative relationships and environments have a positive impact on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people. Yet many LGBTQIA+ individuals experience relational traumas from rejecting families which may include conversion or reparative practices. This paper will discuss the unique developmental challenges LGBTQIA+ people face, the impact of early developmental stage rejection, and ways to improve clinical engagement with clients for more affirming care. From an Intersubjective Self Psychological framework, I will draw upon Daniel Shaw's concept of relational systems of subjugation. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of the prevalence of conversion therapy and trauma related to religious beliefs as factors in the developmental years of LGBTQ+ people, and of the implications of this prevalence. One such implication is how political discourse and proposals of anti-LGBTQ+ policies and laws impact the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people, particularly about perceived safety. I will examine how subjugation by their caregivers/parents, communities, and other social environments toxifies LGBTQIA+ individuals' selfobject ties and their perception of self, with far-reaching ramifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Psychoanalytic Inquiry is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Damned if I Do: Gay Men and the Wounds of Conversion Therapy.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Conversion+therapy%22">Conversion therapy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+health%22">Mental health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rhetoric+%26+politics%22">Rhetoric & politics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22LGBTQ%2B+people%22">LGBTQ+ people</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-perception%22">Self-perception</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotional+trauma%22">Emotional trauma</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Affirmative+action+programs%22">Affirmative action programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Identity+%28Psychology%29%22">Identity (Psychology)</searchLink>
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  Data: Research shows that affirmative relationships and environments have a positive impact on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people. Yet many LGBTQIA+ individuals experience relational traumas from rejecting families which may include conversion or reparative practices. This paper will discuss the unique developmental challenges LGBTQIA+ people face, the impact of early developmental stage rejection, and ways to improve clinical engagement with clients for more affirming care. From an Intersubjective Self Psychological framework, I will draw upon Daniel Shaw's concept of relational systems of subjugation. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of the prevalence of conversion therapy and trauma related to religious beliefs as factors in the developmental years of LGBTQ+ people, and of the implications of this prevalence. One such implication is how political discourse and proposals of anti-LGBTQ+ policies and laws impact the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people, particularly about perceived safety. I will examine how subjugation by their caregivers/parents, communities, and other social environments toxifies LGBTQIA+ individuals' selfobject ties and their perception of self, with far-reaching ramifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Psychoanalytic Inquiry is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/07351690.2025.2510185
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Rhetoric & politics
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      – SubjectFull: Affirmative action programs
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      – SubjectFull: Identity (Psychology)
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              Text: Jul2025
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