The Lie of Conversion Therapy

Send us Fan Mail

Conversion therapy, sometimes called reparative therapy or sexual reorientation counseling, is an attempt to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. There is broad consensus in the medical community that sexual orientation and gender identity are immutable traits and that attempts to change these characteristics through conversion therapy or other means are not only unnecessary and ineffective, but also very harmful. In this week’s episode of In the Den, Jen talks with Ryan Kendall about his experiences as a survivor of conversion therapy, his powerful testimony in California’s Proposition 8 trial, and his current career as a civil rights attorney, working to protect marginalized people and give everyone a fair shot.

Special Guest: Ryan Kendall

Ryan is a survivor of conversion therapy who testified about his experiences in the Proposition 8 trial and in support of legislative bans in California, New York, and New Jersey. Ryan has worked as an advocate to eliminate conversion therapy, and his work has been featured in news stories, op-eds, scholarly articles, interviews, books, and theatrical performances. He is a graduate of Columbia University and the UCLA School of Law. Ryan is currently a civil rights attorney for the Systemic Impact Unit at Community Legal Aid SoCal.

Links from the Show:

Content Warning–some links contain homophobic language and talk of conversion therapy.

• “8”: A Play About the Fight for Marriage Equality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUG8F9uVgM
• Ryan’s testimony excerpt from 8: A Play About the Fight for Marriage Equality:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kwBzbd9bHQ
• Video of California’s Proposition 8 Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgQKPGfKT84&list=PL83B3C0F7EC3ECDE4&index=34
• Born Perfect: https://www.nclrights.org/our-work/born-perfect/ 
• Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmkendall/recent-activity/all/ 
• Ryan’s bio on the website for National Center for Lesbian Rights: https://www.nclrights.org/about-us/who-we-are/ryan-kendall-2/ 
• California ban on conversion therapy: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-gaytherapy-idUSBRE88T0DR20120930 
• Ryan’s story on CNN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGG7_kKkT50 
• Join Mama Dragons here: www.mamadragons.org 

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.

Support the show

Connect with Mama Dragons:
Website
Instagram
Facebook

Donate to this podcast