Lethbridge residents featured in LGBTQ2+ show focused on conversion therapy

Hargreaves initiated an online petition, which asked the federal government ban conversion therapy across the country. The petition received over 18,000 signatures and was eventually presented in the House of Commons by NDP MP Sheri Benson in February 2019 but was rejected by the government.

“The government did respond to that by saying conversion therapy was wrong but there was no cohesive action taken at that time,” he told Lethbridge News Now.

The Honourable Senator Serge Joyal later tabled Bill S-260 in April 2019, which aimed to make it a criminal offense to advertise conversion therapy to anyone under the age of 18.

As of January 2020, conversion therapy has yet to be banned at the federal level.

“Conversion therapy is literally a form of torture,” Hargreaves said.

“It’s taking someone’s identity and telling them that how they were born is somehow inherently wrong or sinful. Now it’s been going on for many years. In the past, I think they did electro-shock therapy, chemical castration. These days, what you’ll hear of more often is talk therapy, which definitely scars an individual who is trying to come to terms with who they are.”

He added that although it has yet to be banned federally, there are some communities that have banned the practice at the municipal level – including Edmonton in December 2019.

“I would definitely encourage Lethbridge City Council to take a look at legislation. When approached about it a while ago, they did indicate that they wanted to see the work that was coming out of Edmonton,” Hargreaves told LNN.

“Now that that’s been wrapped, studies are back and it’s something that Calgary City Council is looking at, I would definitely call on our current council to look at getting a ban in place here. That’s not as effective as a federal ban would be, but due to the fact that the federal government is taking its time, I think it would be a very strong [move] for Lethbridge, where this entire petition started, to get a ban on the books and let’s show that this is an open and accepting community.”

Jay Whitehead, who teaches Theatre and Dramatic Arts at the University of Lethbridge, said he was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was subject to conversion therapy in his early twenties.

“I became aware of my sexuality in my adolescence [and] it was something that obviously was very confusing because it was at odds with my religious upbringing. It was something that at the time I felt like I wanted to not have,” he said.

“At that time, I elected with the support of my parents to go into conversion therapy and I went through that process, which ultimately proved to be detrimental to my mental wellness and health and just not a good situation for me being able to accept who I was and live an authentic life.”

He said now, as a 45-year-old man, he’s out and active in the local queer community and considers himself an activist who brings attention to important issues that affect the community.

“I still see myself as a voice for the community and hopefully someone who can set an example for how to live an authentic life,” he told LNN, adding the outpouring of support since the episode’s release has been overwhelming.

“I’ve had emails from people who are struggling in similar ways that I was struggling back in the time that is reflected on in the docu-series. That was my hope, is that it would speak to a generation or to people who are still suffering and struggling in this way with their own acceptance of their sexuality and the expectations put on them by those around them. My main objective in participating was simply to shine light on the issue and to hopefully provide support and hope to those who are suffering.”

Hargreaves added that when the e-petition was launched, so many people were on board but were shocked to find out that conversion therapy was still in existence. He said activism on the issue is so important and can go a long way.

“People say that we’re such a progressive society but if you even look at the comments on Facebook on the Small Town Queer page…[those] show why it’s necessary to continue advocating,” he said.

Hargreaves did add that he has heard positive feedback from different points of the political spectrum, including from team members with the federal NDP, Liberals and Conservatives.

“I think it’s important that we get this horrific practice banned on all levels of government so I would encourage anyone listening to reach out – reach out to City Council, reach out to the province, the premier, your MLA and let’s continue to fight to get this banned on the federal stage.”

Whitehead added that he hopes the episode and the fight to ban conversion therapy can provide support for anyone who is struggling.

“You’re not alone. There’s more and more of a movement and groundswell building to get conversion therapy banned across Canada and around the world. Just be authentic, be true to yourself and don’t let anyone bring you down.”

Small Town Queer can be viewed on the Telus STORYHIVE YouTube channel.

by Justin Goulet

Lethbridge residents featured in LGBTQ2+ show focused on conversion therapy

Our Community