Roger-Luc Chayer (Image : Meta AI / Gay Globe)
An MSNBC Journalist Mistaken About the Nature of Conversion Therapies
On October 5, a journalist from MSNBC, in the United States, stated that the U.S. Supreme Court was set to examine conversion therapies, explaining that they referred to sex changes for trans people. Really?
The Importance of Fact-Checking
If there is one thing a professional journalist must always do before going on air — especially live — and I know what I’m talking about, having often done it for TVA and as part of my column on Le Midi avec André Arthur — it is to verify the information they are about to present, to ensure the most accurate facts possible.
A Serious Confusion Between Conversion Therapy and Sex Reassignment
This MSNBC journalist made a rather serious mistake by confusing conversion therapies with sex reassignment, or sex change procedures for trans people.
Conversion therapies have absolutely nothing to do with trans individuals.
What Is a Conversion Therapy?
A conversion therapy, also known as a reparative therapy, refers to a set of pseudo-scientific practices claiming to “correct” or “cure” homosexuality, bisexuality, or any other non-heterosexual orientation.
These practices are based on the false idea that sexual orientation can be changed, which is entirely untrue and rejected by the global scientific community.
Medical, psychological, and psychiatric associations, both in Canada and the United States, have all condemned these so-called therapies.
They emphasize that such practices cause deep trauma, shame, psychological distress, and, in many cases, suicidal thoughts among those who endure them.
Sex Reassignment: A Recognized Medical Process
Contrary to what the MSNBC journalist claimed, sex reassignment — or gender affirmation — concerns transgender individuals and is part of a recognized medical and psychological process, based on respect for gender identity.
It has nothing to do with conversion therapies, which constitute psychological abuse and a form of moral violence.
A Serious Journalistic Error
Confusing these two notions is not only a journalistic error — it is a serious misunderstanding of LGBTQ+ realities, contributing to misinformation and prejudice.
Gay Globe Requests a Correction from MSNBC
Gay Globe attempted to contact the MSNBC television network to correct the information and inform the journalist concerned, but no response was received.
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