Report finds conversion practices persist in Geneva and Vaud

Conversion practices aimed at changing people’s sexual orientation or gender identity continue in religious and spiritual settings in the Swiss cantons of Geneva and Vaud, SRF reported, citing a study by the Intercantonal Information Centre for Religious Affairs.

Eighteen people told the centre directly about practices they had experienced and their consequences. The study says those affected can suffer significant psychological distress. Failed attempts to change them are often interpreted as a lack of faith or personal weakness, reinforcing existing feelings of guilt.

Conversion practices range from verbal influence to severe interventions affecting physical integrity. They can occur during childhood and adolescence, in psychotherapeutic, medical or religious settings, or within families. Reported examples include prayers involving the laying on of hands, guided reading, exorcisms and so-called energy treatments.

According to the report, these practices are rarely presented explicitly as conversion practices. Instead, they form a continuum ranging from structured programmes to less visible and more diffuse forms. The approaches share a view of heterosexuality and a binary gender order as natural or divinely ordained, while other identities are regarded as a disorder or an injury.

The investigation was conducted between 2023 and 2026 and is based on 41 interviews, observations and an analysis of numerous documents. “Our study clearly shows that practices aimed at changing or suppressing sexual orientation or gender identity do exist in the cantons of Vaud and Geneva,” said research director Manéli Farahmand.

The study found that such practices occur mainly in certain Christian communities, including evangelical, charismatic and traditionalist Catholic circles. Similar practices were also identified in New Age contexts and other spiritual movements.

The centre is preparing information materials in response to the findings. It said that recognising the existence of these practices would make it possible to consider support for those affected.

The cantons of Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud have already banned conversion practices. Geneva is currently considering a bill to do the same. Switzerland has no corresponding national regulation, but the Federal Council has signalled its willingness to introduce one. The matter is now before the Council of States.