Conversion Therapy

The British Government is planning legislation to make Conversion Therapy (CT) illegal; although a coalition of LGBTQ groups is pressuring them to proceed quicker. CT refers to a collection of psychological techniques, designed to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Once widely practised, CT is now seen as an infraction of people’s human rights. Moreover, most of the testimonies about change have been revealed to be short-lived, or mere wish-fulfilment.

CT includes a variety of approaches. At one extreme, is Aversion Therapy, a crude manifestation of behaviourism, in which for example a person is subjected to electric shocks, when shown pictures of naked members of the same sex. Besides being ineffective in longterm change, it is also highly abusive. 

The Trees. The Trees.

The government permits one hour a day for outside exercise. But it sometimes feels more like a compulsory command. Nevertheless, it guarantees that I leave the house each day. Otherwise, on a Sunday afternoon, like today, when the weather turns cold, I might be tempted to stay inside all the time. And I do need that head-clearing, mind-refreshing, wind-blowing, it brings.