Petition for Apology
Over 800 people have signed a change.org petition which demands the University of Birmingham apologises for its involvement in LGBTQ+ conversion therapy in the 1970s. According to the Birmingham Mail, the university came under fire after BBC reporter, Ben Hute, spoke to a survivor of gay conversion therapy who was given electric shock therapy at the institute.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, revealed he had been referred to a clinical psychologist at the university after visiting his GP for advice in the 1970s. The psychologist then submitted the man to electric shock therapy in an attempt to alter his sexual orientation. The man went on to describe the 40 years since this “therapy” involved post-traumatic stress and mental health problems. Since the report was published in December 2020, more victims have come forward.
Electric Shock Treatment
The man recalls being told at the start of the sessions that having a sex change would preferable to living a life as a gay man. While being gay was no longer illegal at the time it was only a few years since that change and society was still not approving. While he wasn’t forced into the therapy the emotional pressure clearly made him commit to giving it a try. The sessions included being shown pictures and if an image of a man came up a large shock was delivered. The only way to avoid this was to move to the next image before the shock was delivered. Images of women were shown with no shock in order to try and make an association between men and pain. The aim was to build an aversion to men and so change a person’s sexuality.
A Friend For Life
Outside of the sessions, the man was encouraged to date women and eventually met someone. She was allowed to meet the team and eventually the two married and have been lifelong companions. But, it will come as no surprise the “therapy” did not have any effect, and the two while close have never consummated their marriage.
A Life Ruined
The man had a successful career as a teacher but lost his job when his school found out he was attending sessions that were reported as being for depression. However, he believes someone may have told the school otherwise. Years later after therapy and mental health treatment, the man found someone working on the sessions and was provided detailed proof they happened and what was done to him. Even with this information Birmingham University would not respond or address the issue.
Demanding an Apology
Luke Warren, a signatory of the change.org petition, said: “UoB must accept responsibility for this terrible event and explicitly apologise, denounce all such anti-LGBT+ practices and positions (both nationally and worldwide), actively compensate those affected and make changes to ensure that such cruel things can never happen again. This is extra pertinent given their announced establishment of a campus in Dubai, who have laws specifically to punish and ostracize members of the LGBTQ+ community for simply existing.”
Birmingham University’s Response – Falling Short
The university addressed the situation in a statement but did not offer an apology: “We understand the terrible impact that conversion therapy has on individuals and would like to reiterate that the University unreservedly condemns this practice. We are also unequivocal that conversion therapy, where the aim is to change a person’s sexual orientation or to suppress gender identity, is unethical, degrading, and harmful.”
Some also believe the university should not have to provide an apology, with local resident Ashley Adkins telling Birmingham Live: “It’s done, in the past – why re-traumatise? Unless I’m terribly mistaken, the university is not currently involved in conversion therapy and I’d imagine would not have anything to do with it so maybe let’s look at the here and now and the future? Instead of dwelling in misery?”
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