Social Welfare Department Invites Christian ‘Gay Conversion Therapist’ to Train Staff

In seeming contradiction to the vast body of scientific knowledge, the Hong Kong government’s Social Welfare Department in mid-June hired the head of a fringe religious organization to teach a workshop to social workers advocating “gay conversion therapy, “ the belief that homosexual identity can be changed through therapy.

The welfare department has not responded to a request by Asia Sentinel for comment. Gay groups, however, have reacted to the seminar with outrage. Psychiatric studies, particularly one extensive compilation, Sexual Conversion Therapy: Ethical, Clinical and Research Perspectives, says gay conversion therapy is not only useless but dangerous and can lead to severe depression and suicide.

Read more: Asia Sentinel