Despite significant progress in human rights, many intersex people in Europe continue to face practices aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
These practices, known as “conversion therapy,” include various interventions, such as medical procedures, psychological pressure, and other methods, aimed at altering or suppressing a person’s natural sexual and gender characteristics.
Recent years have seen an increase in the number of such practices, raising concern among human rights organisations and medical associations.
The Nature and Prevalence of Conversion Practices
Conversion practices include a wide range of interventions aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
For intersex people, this may include unnecessary medical procedures, such as surgery or hormonal therapy, performed without their informed consent.
According to the EU LGBTIQ data (2020-2025), approximately 40% of intersex people in Europe report having undergone such practices, a significantly higher rate than among other LGBTIQ+ groups.
Reasons for the Continuity of Conversion Practices
Despite the condemnation of conversion practices by many international organisations, they continue to be used for a number of reasons:
- Lack of Legislative Prohibitions: Some European countries lack clear laws prohibiting such practices, allowing medical institutions and individual professionals to continue using them.
- Social and Cultural Prejudices: In some societies, the belief persists that intersex people must conform to a binary gender model, leading to pressure to “normalize” them.
- Lack of Awareness and Education: Many healthcare professionals and the public at large are insufficiently informed about the rights of intersex people and the potential consequences of such interventions.
Consequences for Intersex People
Conversion practices can have serious physical and psychological consequences for intersex people:
Physical Complications: Unnecessary medical procedures can lead to long-term medical problems, such as infections, scarring, and other complications.
Psychological Trauma: Many experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder due to violence and lack of support.
Social Isolation: A lack of understanding and support from society can lead to alienation and social isolation.
International Efforts to End Conversion Practices
Many international organisations are actively working to end conversion practices:
- Council of Europe: Adopted recommendations aimed at ending conversion practices, highlighting their human rights violations.
- European Union: The EU Fundamental Rights Agency published reports emphasizing the need to protect intersex people from violence and discrimination.
- Civil Society Organizations: Numerous NGOs, such as Zwischengeschlecht, actively advocate for the rights of intersex people and the end of violent practices.
Recommendations for the Future
To stop the use of conversion practices, it is necessary to:
- Adopt Legislation: Enact clear laws prohibiting such practices and ensure their strict enforcement.
- Education and Awareness: Conduct educational programs for healthcare professionals and the public about the rights of intersex people.
- Support for Victims: Create support programs for intersex people affected by such practices, including psychological support and social rehabilitation.
Historical Context and Religiousity
Throughout European history, attitudes toward intersex people have been closely linked to religious and cultural traditions.
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, many cases of intersex characteristics were perceived as divine signs or deviations from the divine order. The Church often intervened in such cases, demanding medical interventions or social changes to bring individuals into conformity with religious norms.
In the 18th century, the case of Fernanda Fernandez, a Catholic nun who developed male sexual characteristics, occurred in Spain. The Church investigated, recognised her as a man, and abrogated her monastic vows, reflecting the institution’s commitment to maintaining binary gender roles.
Shift in Attitudes: Religion in the Twenty-First Century
Modern religious approaches to intersex people vary.
Some Christian theologians assert that every person is created in the image of God, including intersex people, and call for inclusivity and acceptance.
Conversion practices aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of intersex people constitute a serious violation of human rights. Decisive action is needed at the international, national, and local levels to end these practices and ensure the safety and dignity of intersex people.
However, in some European countries, religious and cultural prejudices persist, promoting practices aimed at altering the sex characteristics of intersex people. Such practices, often carried out without informed consent, can be justified by religious beliefs or a desire to conform to traditional gender roles.
Comparison: Europe’s Diversity
Conversion practices aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity remain a problem not only in Europe but also in other regions of the world.
In the United States, despite growing laws prohibiting such interventions for minors, studies show that approximately 5-10% of LGBTIQ+ adolescents experience attempts at "reorientation" in religious and therapeutic settings.
In Asia, conversion practices persist primarily in countries with strong religious and cultural traditions, where binary gender perceptions are dominant. For example, in India and Pakistan, cases of forced medical interventions against intersex people are still recorded, often influenced by family pressure and religious norms.
In Latin America, conversion practices have historically had close ties to the Catholic Church and conservative social structures. In Brazil and Mexico, individual religious organisations continue to conduct psychological and spiritual interventions, although legislative initiatives are gradually restricting such activities.
A comparison of these regions shows that, regardless of the level of economic development, religious and cultural norms remain a key factor in the persistence of conversion practices.
International pressure and legislative prohibitions play a significant role in reducing these human rights violations.
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