We Are Not Broken: A Comparative Legal Analysis of Conversion Therapy Laws in Canada, England and Wales, and New Zealand

Abstract

The purpose of my study is to examine conversion therapy laws in Canada, England and Wales, and New Zealand. My research adds to the gap in the literature by being the first to do a comparative legal analysis of legislation and case law of their respective countries. The goal of my research is to inform Canadian public policymakers when creating legislation on conversion therapy. In this study, I employ a content analysis, relying on the theoretical frameworks of Critical Legal Studies and Queer theory to guide my research. The results from my study will focus on how laws are either protecting sexual minorities from sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) or are riddled in contradictions. From these results, I aim to obtain a greater understanding of how law can be used to benefit sexual minorities.