In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Lucas F.W. Wilson discuss his book, Shame-Sex Attraction, which explores the experiences of conversion therapy survivors. Lucas explains that conversion therapy aims to change sexual orientation or gender identity, despite its ineffectiveness and harmful nature. He traces the history of conversion practices from the 1800s to the present, highlighting various methods like electroshock therapy and aversion therapy, and their rapid growth after 1976 up through the heyday in the early 2000s. Dr. Wilson shares his personal journey through conversion therapy at Liberty University and emphasizes the broader impact of conversion practices on societal beliefs and individual identities. He advocates for empathy and understanding to challenge these practices.

Key Takeaways:

• There are no known cases where conversion therapy has actually changed someone's sexual attraction. While there is anecdotal evidence from the organizations perpetuating the claims, research shows that it is not effective.

• "Pastoral Counseling" and other similar phrases are used to mask or obfuscate the practice of conversion therapy to hide the work that is being done.

• There is no typical or standard conversion therapy. The experiences range widely from person to person.

• Conversion practices can be seen throughout many, if not all, people's lives, even if they've never been to official conversion therapy, nor is it solely for those who are part of the queer or religious community.

• It is important to engage with ideas and communities that are different from your own.

"I would argue that probably every single person in this world at some point has been told 'don't act like this,' whether they were a kid or older, and that message has stayed with them and affected how they present their gender and how they identify." — Dr. Lucas F.W. Wilson

Episode References:

• Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family by Garrard Conley

• 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture

• Genocidal Intentions: Social Death and the Ex-Gay Movement by Sue E. Spivey and Christine M. Robinson

Connect with Dr. Lucas F.W. Wilson:

Professional Bio: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/historical-studies/people/lucas-wilson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-wilson-2a0753b1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luke.wilson.96

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeslamdunkwilson/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@lukeslamdunkwilson

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lukeslamdunkwilson

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lukeslamdunkwilson.bsky.social

X: https://x.com/wilson_fw

Other Publications: https://utschools.academia.edu/LucasWilson

Book: Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion TherapyBook: At Home with the Holocaust

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Threads: @critically_speaking

Email: [email protected]

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