International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice

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International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice
FounderMike Davidson
Website iftcc.org

The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice (IFTCC) is a London-based organization that internationally lobbies governments and religious organizations to oppose bans on conversion therapy, the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, which has condemned by medical organizations and human rights groups as "unethical, unscientific and ineffective and, in some instances, tantamount to torture." [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

History and advocacy

The IFTCC is led by Mike Davidson, who describes himself as "ex-homosexual", previously ran the conversion therapy group Core Issues Trust, has practiced conversion therapy on others, and advocates "healing from homosexuality". Davidson has been described as a central figure in the conversion therapy movement and co-directs four organizations providing or advocating conversion therapy. Davidson has been refused certification for the UK Council of Psychotherapy and the British Psychological Society. [2] [4] [5] [6] [7]

In October 2018, the IFTCC organized a conference in the UK in defense of conversion therapy. Some speakers compared LGBT identities to pedophilia. The IFTCC said that doesn't reflect their views and state bans on conversion therapy infringe on personal freedoms. [2]

Quentin Van Meter, the president of the anti-LGBT group American College of Pediatricians gave a speech titled "The Travesty of the Current State of Transgender Medicine" at the IFTCC in November 2018. Van Meter and the American College of Pediatricians, which has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, have supported bills banning transgender healthcare for minors. [1]

In February 2019, Maltese Equality Minister Helena Dalli criticized Matthew Grech for his comments about leaving a "homosexual lifestyle" to follow Jesus. The IFTCC filed an official complaint to Malta’s High Commissioner to the UK Joseph Cole describing her criticism as an "unprecedented personal attack" and later hosted the premiere of "Once Gay" in Belfast, a documentary about Grech and "his right to be an ex-gay". The IFTCC also called on Malta to repeal a law passed in 2016 banning therapy. The law had been unanimously passed by Malta's parliament, which Dalli described as "a good day for human rights." [3]

In 2019, the IFTCC organized a conference on changing sexual orientation which was aired on Hír TV. The conference was held in a secret location, which Hír TV stated was because "the homosexual and gender lobby, as well as the medical organizations controlled by them, will make the conversation impossible". Grech was a speaker and stated he converted and realized "the healthiest form of coexistence is a family based on the relationship between a man and a woman." Speakers claimed there was no genetic basis for homosexuality, and that it could be caused by sexual trauma, bullying, or distance from a parent of the same gender. [8]

In October 2019, Davidson represented the UK and Ireland in a press conference held by the Christian fundamentalist group Global Rainbow Crosser Alliance in protest of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) rejecting the alliance’s request to participate in its 40th human rights congress. Davidson stated "professional mental health bodies [in the UK and Ireland] refuse to allow people to receive help to change their sexual preferences" and "the International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice will continue to offer support to those who de-transition from transgendered identities and those who no longer want to be gay". [4]

In November 2020, the IFTCC organized a conference on conversion therapy. The conference was promoted by The Conference of Bishops of Slovakia and attended by Anna Záborská and several ex-gay and ex-trans speakers. The Slovakian League for Mental Health criticized the conference and stated "Sexual orientation is biological, it is a predetermined interplay of genetic factors and intrauterine environment, it is not a person's personal choice, conscious or unconscious. There is no credible research that suggests that early experiences or traumas influence a person's sexual orientation. Therefore, there is no psychotherapy that could change a person's sexual orientation." [9]

In June 2021, the UK government reached out to representatives from Core Issues Trust and the IFTCC in discussions of the proposed conversion therapy ban. In November, the IFTCC co-hosted a conference along with Christian Concern in favor of opposing the ban. The event was protested by transgender and non-binary people, who shared their experiences of conversion therapy to counter the conference. [5] [6] The same month, the IFTCC opposed Bill C-6, a Canadian resolution to ban conversion therapy, describing such bans a "cultural marxist" strategy, a far right anti-semitic conspiracy theory. The IFTCC stated "Civil disobedience has to be considered by Christian Churches and their members." [5] [10]

In April 2022, Laurie Haynes, a board member of the IFTCC, testified in support of a Missouri bill banning gender-affirming care for minors, arguing that transition should be forced to wait until 25 years old to transition. In a cross-talk, she stated she is in support of voluntary conversion therapy. [11] [12]

In 2022, a journalist from Dagens Nyheter went undercover investigating conversion therapy across Europe and the United States. The reporter contacted the IFTCC and spoke to Davidson, who referred him to the priest Jens Fredrick Brenne, a leader of Til Heltet, a Norwegian Christian group that opposes bans on conversion therapy. Til Heltet and the IFTCC regularly collaborate and Brenne was previously a board member of the IFTCC. When Dagens Nyheter revealed the reporter was undercover and asked Til Heltet for comment, chairman of the board and IFTCC member Ole Gremstad Jensen said they didn't practice conversion therapy, stating "Our work is controversial in nature because the secular West has abandoned the biblical values on which it was once built." Davidson was also reached out to for comment. He declined to comment on how many Swedish parents their organization "helps" but stated they deal with transgender youth and involved parents in the process. [7]

Related Research Articles

Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to align with heterosexual and cisgender norms. Methods that have been used to this end include forms of brain surgery, surgical or hormonal castration, aversive treatments such as electric shocks, nausea-inducing drugs, hypnosis, counseling, spiritual interventions, visualization, psychoanalysis, and arousal reconditioning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exodus International</span> Defunct Christian conversion therapy organization

Exodus International was a non-profit, interdenominational ex-gay Christian umbrella organization connecting organizations that sought to "help people who wished to limit their homosexual desires". Founded in 1976, Exodus International originally asserted that conversion therapy, the reorientation of same-sex attraction, was possible. In 2006, Exodus International had over 250 local ministries in the United States and Canada and over 150 ministries in 17 other countries. Although Exodus was formally an interdenominational Christian entity, it was most closely associated with Protestant and evangelical denominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Germany</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Germany rank among the highest in the world; having evolved significantly over the course of the last decades. During the 1920s and the early 1930s, lesbian and gay people in Berlin were generally tolerated by society and many bars and clubs specifically pertaining to gay men were opened. Although same-sex sexual activity between men was already made illegal under Paragraph 175 by the German Empire in 1871, Nazi Germany extended these laws during World War II, which resulted in the persecution and deaths of thousands of homosexual citizens. The Nazi extensions were repealed in 1960 and same-sex sexual activity between men was decriminalized in both East and West Germany in 1968 and 1969, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in New Zealand</span>

New Zealand lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are some of the most extensive in the world. The protection of LGBT rights is advanced, relative to other countries in Oceania, and among the most liberal in the world, with the country being the first in the region to legalise same-sex marriage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Malta</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Malta rank among the highest in the world. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the rights of the LGBTQ community received more awareness and same-sex sexual activity was legalized on 29 January 1973. The prohibition was already dormant by the 1890s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in New Hampshire</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of New Hampshire enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people, with most advances in LGBT rights occurring in the state within the past two decades. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in New Hampshire, and the state began offering same-sex couples the option of forming a civil union on January 1, 2008. Civil unions offered most of the same protections as marriages with respect to state law, but not the federal benefits of marriage. Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire has been legally allowed since January 1, 2010, and one year later New Hampshire's civil unions expired, with all such unions converted to marriages. New Hampshire law has also protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation since 1998 and gender identity since 2018. Additionally, a conversion therapy ban on minors became effective in the state in January 2019. In effect since January 1, 2024, the archaic common-law "gay panic defence" was formally abolished; by legislation implemented within August 2023.

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of West Virginia face legal challenges not faced by non-LGBT persons. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1976, and same-sex marriage has been recognized since October 2014. West Virginia statutes do not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBTQ people is illegal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Delaware</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Delaware enjoy the same legal protections as non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Delaware since January 1, 1973. On January 1, 2012, civil unions became available to same-sex couples, granting them the "rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities" of married persons. Delaware legalized same-sex marriage on July 1, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Minnesota</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Minnesota have the same legal rights as non-LGBTQ people. Minnesota became the first U.S. state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in 1993, protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in the fields of employment, housing, and public accommodations. In 2013, the state legalized same-sex marriage, after a bill allowing such marriages was passed by the Minnesota Legislature and subsequently signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton. This followed a 2012 ballot measure in which voters rejected constitutionally banning same-sex marriage.

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of New Jersey have the same legal rights as non-LGBTQ people. LGBT individuals in New Jersey enjoy strong protections from discrimination, and have had the same marriage rights as heterosexual people since October 21, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in New York</span>

The U.S. state of New York has generally been seen as socially liberal in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) rights. LGBT travel guide Queer in the World states, "The fabulosity of Gay New York is unrivaled on Earth, and queer culture seeps into every corner of its five boroughs". The advocacy movement for LGBT rights in the state has been dated as far back as 1969 during the Stonewall riots in New York City. Same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults has been legal since the New York v. Onofre case in 1980. Same-sex marriage has been legal statewide since 2011, with some cities recognizing domestic partnerships between same-sex couples since 1998. Discrimination protections in credit, housing, employment, education, and public accommodation have explicitly included sexual orientation since 2003 and gender identity or expression since 2019. Transgender people in the state legally do not have to undergo sex reassignment surgery to change their sex or gender on official documents since 2014. In addition, both conversion therapy on minors and the gay and trans panic defense have been banned since 2019. Since 2021, commercial surrogacy has been legally available within New York State.

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights in the U.S. state of Iowa have evolved significantly in the 21st century. Iowa began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on April 27, 2009 following a ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court, making Iowa the fourth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples may also adopt, and state laws ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Wisconsin</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Wisconsin enjoy most of the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. However, the transgender community may face some legal issues not experienced by cisgender residents, due in part to discrimination based on gender identity not being included in Wisconsin's anti-discrimination laws, nor is it covered in the state's hate crime law. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Wisconsin since October 6, 2014, when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal in the case of Wolf v. Walker. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned statewide in Wisconsin, and sexual orientation is a protected class in the state's hate crime laws. It approved such protections in 1982, making it the first state in the United States to do so.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Colorado</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Colorado enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Colorado since 1972. Same-sex marriage has been recognized since October 2014, and the state enacted civil unions in 2013, which provide some of the rights and benefits of marriage. State law also prohibits discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations and the use of conversion therapy on minors. In July 2020, Colorado became the 11th US state to abolish the gay panic defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Pennsylvania</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania enjoy most of the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Pennsylvania. Same-sex couples and families headed by same-sex couples are eligible for all of the protections available to opposite-sex married couples. Pennsylvania was the final Mid-Atlantic state without same-sex marriage, indeed lacking any form of same-sex recognition law until its statutory ban was overturned on May 20, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Core Issues Trust</span> British Christian fundamentalist organisation

The Core Issues Trust is a British Christian fundamentalist organisation that provides conversion therapy for LGBT people.

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBT rights that took place in the year 2016.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Youth Mental Health Protection Act</span> Illinois law

The Youth Mental Health Protection Act, H.B. 217, is an Illinois bill that prohibits mental health professionals from implementing conversion therapy, reparative therapy, or sexual orientation change efforts on patients under the age of eighteen. Additionally, the bill outlaws any promotional materials from deceiving consumers and falsely representing homosexuality as a mental health defect in any manner. The goal of the legislation is to protect minors from undue stress and further stigmatization as a result of their sexuality.

Many health organizations around the world have denounced and criticized sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts. National health organizations in the United States have announced that there has been no scientific demonstration of conversion therapy's efficacy in the last forty years. They find that conversion therapy is ineffective, risky and can be harmful. Anecdotal claims of cures are counterbalanced by assertions of harm, and the American Psychiatric Association, for example, cautions ethical practitioners under the Hippocratic oath to do no harm and to refrain from attempts at conversion therapy.

References

  1. 1 2 Saunders, Patrick (1 November 2019). "Atlanta doctor who backs anti-trans bill leads hate group". Project Q Atlanta. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Brand, Paul (15 November 2018). "Charity Commission to review 'gay conversion' allegations". ITV News. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  3. 1 2 Diacono, Tim (12 February 2019). "Malta Has Just Been Accused Of Discriminating Against 'Ex-Gays' After Worship Leader Cries Foul". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Buchan, Noah (19 December 2019). "Rainbow crossing: conversion therapy by another name? - Taipei Times". Taipei Times. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Andersson, Jasmine (23 November 2021). "Protests begin as anti-LGBT Christian group hosts pro-conversion therapy conference". I News. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  6. 1 2 Parsons, Vic (25 November 2021). "Christian bigots are urging MPs to scrap ban on barbaric conversion therapy". Pink News. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  7. 1 2 Sadikovic, Adrian (12 July 2022). "Globalt nätverk vill "omvända" hbtq-personer – kopplas till Norden". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  8. ↑ Dóra, Matalin (28 November 2019). "Titkos meleggyógyító konferencián járt a Hír TV". Index (in Hungarian). Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  9. ↑ Niňajová, Eva (25 November 2020). "Homofóbnu konferenciu o konverznej terapii propagujú aj naši biskupi, zúčastní sa jej aj Záborská". Startipup (in Slovak). Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Conservative MP Sponsored Petition From Anti-LGBTQ Pastor Who is Calling For Civil Disobedience to Oppose Conversion Therapy Bill". PressProgress. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  11. ↑ Shackford, Scott (25 April 2022). "Missouri Lawmakers Suggest Infantilizing Trans Adults and Depriving Them of Treatment Until Age 25". Reason Magazine. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  12. ↑ Coronel, Justina (21 April 2022). "Missouri bill would punish providers for medical treatment on transgender children". KSDK. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
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