Ep.65 / In Their Own Words: Survivor Stories of Conversion Therapy, Faith, and Reclaiming Identity

This episode of Hot Air shares real survivor writings—blogs, memoirs, essays, and testimonies—from people who endured LGBTQ+ conversion therapy and religious abuse, along with insights from affirming clergy and progressive faith leaders. Raw, emotional, and essential listening.

In Their Own Words: Survivor Stories of LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy, Faith, and Reclaiming Identity

Conversion therapy has existed for decades—often hidden behind church doors, disguised as counseling, or presented as spiritual guidance. But beyond the theories, the headlines, the politics, and the religious rhetoric, there are real people who lived through it. Their voices are powerful, courageous, and deeply human.

This episode of Hot Air is dedicated to sharing those voices—directly, without filtering or summarizing. These excerpts come from memoirs, blogs, personal essays, and public writings from survivors who experienced conversion therapy firsthand, as well as LGBTQ+ affirming clergy who are reshaping faith from the inside.

Why This Episode Matters

In our previous Hot Air episode, we explored the history of conversion therapy and how religious systems have weaponized theology to control LGBTQ+ identity. But summarizing survivors’ experiences is never enough. Each person carries a story that deserves to be heard in their own voice, with their own words, in the tone and emotional truth that only they can express.

The Power of Survivor Writings

Memoirs like Boy Erased by Garrard Conley, online blog confessions, anonymous testimony archives, and published personal essays reveal the emotional and psychological impact of conversion therapy far more vividly than any report or news summary can. These writings show the fear, the manipulation, the confusion—and ultimately the resilience and liberation—of people who survived attempts to change or erase their identity.

In many excerpts shared in this episode, survivors describe a common experience: being told that something innate within them was sinful, wrong, or broken. Religious leaders often framed these conversations as “healing,” “help,” or “spiritual correction.” But the emotional result was consistent—shame, fear, self-doubt, and internal conflict imposed under the banner of faith.

Faith Leaders Who Choose Liberation Over Control

One of the most moving parts of this collection of writings comes from LGBTQ+ affirming clergy—priests, pastors, reverends, and spiritual leaders who embrace queer identity as a divine expression, not a flaw.

Their writings offer a radically different approach to faith: not one grounded in fear and control, but in liberation, affirmation, and the belief that LGBTQ+ identities are not only valid but sacred.

These religious voices bring hope, healing, and new interpretations of faith traditions that challenge decades of harmful theology.

A Global Issue with Local Impact

Conversion therapy is not limited to one country or denomination. Survivor writings featured in this episode come from all over the world—demonstrating that the fight for LGBTQ+ safety and dignity is a global one.

Many survivors describe feeling isolated, misunderstood, or pressured by family and religious communities. Yet nearly all of them also share a moment of breakthrough—when they found queer friends, affirming spiritual communities, supportive partners, or internal strength that helped them reclaim their identities.

Reclaiming Identity and Healing Religious Trauma

Across these writings, one theme rises above everything else: reclaiming your identity is a powerful act of resistance. Survivors talk openly about the long process of untangling shame from spirituality, rebuilding confidence, and learning to trust themselves again after being taught not to.

These stories highlight the long-term emotional and psychological impact of conversion therapy—ranging from depression and anxiety to complex PTSD. But they also highlight triumph, joy, queer love, and chosen family.

By listening to these stories—fully, deeply, and in the survivors’ own voices—we honor their courage and help amplify the truth: queer identity is not something to be fixed. It is something to be celebrated.

Why We Share These Stories

Sharing these writings helps break the silence that conversion therapy relies on to survive. When survivors speak, when their words are heard, when their stories circulate, we create cultural and spiritual pressure that pushes harmful practices into the light.

These voices remind us that religion does not have to be a weapon. Community does not have to be conditional. Faith does not have to demand self-erasure.