The licensing body for Albanian psychologists has officially banned all treatment that attempts to alter sexual orientation or gender.

As of May 18, 2020, it is not allowed in Albania for psychologists to carry out “conversion therapy”. Some countries around the world have also banned the practice, and others are on the path to do so.

This type of treatment is centered around the conception that homosexuality or being transgender is a form of mental illness, and therefore has a cure. According to the Order of Psychologists, members will now face disciplinary formalities if they are to conduct this “therapy”.

Malta, Ecuador, and Brazil are among the very few countries to have nationwide bans on all types of conversion therapy. However, a few weeks ago, Germany made this therapy illegal for minors, and Chile, Canada, Mexico, and the United States are all pursuing bans.

In 2018, the European Parliament denounced conversion therapy and prompted member countries to ban the practice. Various medical organizations around the world have repeatedly criticized the so-called therapy.

“We know psychologists work a lot … in schools and we have had many cases of school psychologists (telling LGBT) kids that this is a disease and you should be turned back to ‘normal’.”

Xheni Karaj, executive director of the Albanian advocacy group Alliance Against Discrimination of LGBTQ

Although discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community is illegal in Albania, there were almost 450 hate crimes towards the community in 2019 alone. Due to a lack of trust and a fear of being outed, only 34 of these were ever reported to the police.

These conversion methods are uniquely brutal. They can include deprivation of basic necessities such as water and food, torture, forced internment, electroshock therapy, and sexual violence. These violent methods have been documented in countries such as Ecuador, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, and China.

The reality of how awful LGBTQ+ rights can be around the world is horrifying. In countries like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and more, the death penalty is still applicable to those who engage in LGBTQ+ activities. As recent as April 2019, an Islamic law that made it legal to stone LGBTQ people to death was enacted in Brunei.

Though there is obviously still some way to go, Albania making conversion therapy illegal is a huge step in a very positive direction, and certainly brings good news to the LGBTQ+ community.

---

Sources: