Conversion Therapy in 2026?

Who is Lucas Wilson?

Lucas Wilson is a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Toronto Mississauga and was formerly the Justice, Equity, and Transformation Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Calgary. He is the editor of Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy. His public-facing writing has appeared in The Advocate, Queerty, LGBTQ Nation, and Religion Dispatches, among other venues. He is currently working on a new edited collection about LGBTQ+ experiences at Christian colleges, universities, seminaries, and divinity schools (under contract with The University of Georgia Press).

Conversion Therapy in 2026.

Conversion practices--commonly referred to as conversion therapy--constitute the damaging efforts to change queer individuals' sexual orientations and/or gender identities and expressions. Despite the common misapprehension that conversion practices are a thing of the past--in North America, at least--such anti-queer efforts persist and continue to wreak havoc on countless members of LGBTQ+ communities, particularly those in high-control Christian contexts. Wilson will present a broadened definition of conversion practices before discussing the prevalence of conversion practices in North America and why the number of reported cases is likely inaccurate. Wilson will flesh out the ways by which conversion practitioners seek the eradication of LGBTQ+ communities.

"My new short-story anthology, entitled Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy, came out earlier this year. The anthology brings together 17 stories about conversion therapy, written by survivors themselves (including me), with a foreword by NYT-best-selling author Garrard Conley. Having received praise from a number of reviewers, like those at Publishers Weekly, the book gives voice to a number of LGBTQ+-related themes and experiences, especially in/from high-control religious contexts. As we continue to hear about conversion therapy in the news and on social media, it unfortunately remains a relevant subject to talk about and fight against." Lucas

Can't wait to see you there!

June 24, 2026 at 11 am SK/MST, 12 pm CST, 1 pm EST

TC

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This event is suggested ticket price of $35.

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