Conversion Therapy is Consumer Fraud and Destructive, Says TWO
Delray Beach, FL — Truth Wins Out today issued strong praise for a groundbreaking letter from a coalition of Modern Orthodox rabbis in the United States and Israel that declares conversion therapy forbidden under Jewish law.
The letter, signed by approximately 100 Orthodox rabbis and rabbanot, unambiguously states that recommending or engaging in so-called “conversion therapy” — efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation — is prohibited because it is harmful, ineffective, and grounded in false assumptions about LGBTQ identity.
“This is a victory not just for LGBTQ Jews but for all people of faith who have struggled to reconcile spiritual devotion with respect for the authentic lives of LGBTQ individuals,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “When religious leaders stand on the side of compassion, integrity, and truth, everyone benefits.”
For Orthodox Jews, halakha (Jewish law) is the paramount ethical and legal framework for life; by grounding their opposition to conversion therapy in halakhic ethos and principle, these rabbis are offering a powerful counter-narrative to the centuries-old stigmatization of LGBTQ people in parts of the religious world.
The rabbinic letter provides a clear ethical and religious rationale: conversion therapy is harmful, it does not work, and same-sex attraction is not a mental health disorder. It asserts that no rabbi, educator, psychologist, or therapist should ever recommend such “treatments.” By framing the prohibition as inherent to Jewish moral law — the letter elevates conversion therapy from a questionable practice to one that is intrinsically forbidden.
This stance aligns with broad, evidence-based consensus from medical and mental health authorities that efforts to change sexual orientation have no scientific basis, can exacerbate trauma, and are associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, self-harm, and suicide among LGBTQ individuals.
Orthodox Judaism has historically been seen as one of the more conservative religious traditions when it comes to LGBTQ issues. Yet this new letter from Orthodox rabbis — including notable scholars and spiritual leaders — underscores a profound shift.
“The statement offers spiritual validation for LGBTQ believers who have suffered in silence — or worse, under the guise of spiritual healing — and it sets a precedent for faith leaders of all traditions to prioritize human flourishing over dated doctrines that demean or devalue LGBTQ+ lives,” said TWO’s Besen.
About Truth Wins Out
Truth Wins Out is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works to advance liberty and democracy, protect the rights of LGBTQ people and other minorities, combat religious extremism, and fight against the spread of disinformation.
Contact:
Contact Wayne Besen, Executive Director
Email: wbesen@truthwinsout.org