The Hidden Harms of “Return to the Right Path”: A Policy Brief on Conversion Practices in Malaysia
The Hidden Harms of "Return to the Right Path":
A Policy Brief on Conversion Practices in Malaysia
The Hidden Harms of "Return to the Right Path":
A Policy Brief on Conversion Practices in Malaysia
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Conversion Practices
April 22, 2025
Conversion practices are on the rise in Malaysia, with them being provided by state and non-state actors, contributing to a complex and systemic hazard to LGBTQ and gender-diverse persons’ health, well-being, freedom of religion and belief, access to education, among others.
The term conversion practices describe interventions of a wide-ranging nature, including medical, psychotherapy, and faith-based interventions, as well as overt and covert social pressure.
All of these efforts are premised on the belief that a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender-diverse, or any non-heterosexual cisgender person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE), can and should be changed or suppressed.
This policy brief targets lawmakers, researchers, and others with the goal of increasing awareness about the harms of conversion practices.
It provides an overview of conversion practices in Malaysia, its negative impacts on LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people, and the actors who promote and provide these practices. Finally, it provides evidence-based policy solutions for ending these practices in Malaysia.
In line with global medical and human rights standards, JFS proposes the following actions to end conversion practices in Malaysia:
- Strengthen legal protections against conversion practices in relation to LGBTQ and gender-diverse persons
- Address evidence gaps in relation to LGBTQ persons to inform evidence- and rights-based policy reforms
- Establish adequate, accessible and survivor-centred protections for LGBTQ persons who have experienced conversion practices
- Correct misinformation and increase access to accurate and affirming information in relation to SOGIESC and LGBTQ persons.
- SOGIE-change efforts being offered to LGBTQ persons
Publication date
April 2025
Organisations
Justice for Sisters
Writers, editors, researchers & designers
Vizla Kumaresan, thilaga sulathireh, Kamal Aarif K., Evelynne Gomez, Appolonia Tesera