The phrase “gender confusion” can sound clinical, but GLAAD says it is used to promote a discredited idea: that LGBTQ people can or should be changed. The organisation’s guide explains how coded language can help conversion therapy messaging circulate online, why medical groups reject the practice, and what families should know when seeking support.

Essential Takeaways

  • A misleading label: GLAAD identifies “gender confusion” as language that can promote conversion therapy.
  • Medical opposition: The American Medical Association and American Psychological Association have condemned conversion therapy.
  • Online reach matters: A 2024 report found that harmful conversion therapy material and providers remained easy to find online.
  • Restrictions vary: GLAAD reported that, as of August 2024, 16 countries had bans and 23 US states, plus Washington, DC, had restrictions.

“Gender confusion” is more than a phrase

The words may sound like a neutral description of uncertainty, but in anti-LGBTQ messaging they can carry a sharper implication: that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is a problem to be corrected. GLAAD says the phrase is used to promote conversion therapy, a practice that falsely claims to change LGBTQ people. (Sources: GLAAD)

That distinction matters, especially when parents or young people are looking for help. A label can make harmful practices appear like ordinary counselling, even when the underlying promise is to alter who someone is. (Sources: GLAAD, American Psychological Association)

Why health organisations reject conversion therapy

The American Medical Association and American Psychological Association are among the major professional bodies that have condemned conversion therapy. Their positions reflect a basic point for anyone weighing up a provider's claims: an impressive-sounding title doesn't make a practice evidence-based or safe. (Sources: American Medical Association, American Psychological Association)

GLAAD also warns that some practitioners use professional credentials, while others present their work as religious or pastoral support. That variety can make it harder for families to recognise what is being offered, so it's worth asking directly whether a service aims to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. (Sources: GLAAD, American Psychological Association)

Online searches can lead families towards harmful claims

The concern isn't limited to what happens in a private session. A 2024 Global Project Against Hate & Extremism report examined online conversion therapy material and providers, and said search engines and platforms were not doing enough to curb its circulation. (Sources: Global Project Against Hate & Extremism, GLAAD)

GLAAD has urged social media companies to adopt policies against harmful conversion therapy content. For families, a practical first step is to look beyond polished websites and social posts: check what a provider says the service is meant to achieve, and seek guidance from reputable health organisations. (Sources: GLAAD, American Medical Association)

Protections depend on where you live

Laws and restrictions differ across countries and US states. GLAAD reported that, as of August 2024, 16 countries had bans, while 23 US states and Washington, DC, had restrictions in place. (Sources: GLAAD, UNHCR)

Those figures are a snapshot, not a guarantee that every person is protected in the same way. The Movement Advancement Project's later report tracks the changing US policy landscape, underlining why local rules matter when families are trying to understand their options. (Sources: Movement Advancement Project)

Choose support that respects the person

When looking for help, ask what a provider's approach involves, what outcomes they promise, and whether the person receiving support is treated with dignity. If the language sounds vague, ask for a plain explanation; good care shouldn't need to disguise its aims. (Sources: GLAAD, American Psychological Association)

There is a human point beneath all the policy detail: young people deserve support that helps them feel safe, not pressure to become someone else. Clear information and careful questions can help families tell the difference. (Sources: GLAAD, American Medical Association)

Choose care that supports a person as they are.

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