Conversion therapy disinformation remains widely available online, particularly in non-English languages, says new report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism

A new report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) has revealed that anti-LGBTQ+ groups continue to exploit the internet to disseminate harmful “conversion therapy” health disinformation, particularly in non-English-speaking regions, while social media platforms lag behind in implementing robust content moderation and improving their algorithms.

The GPAHE special report titled, “Conversion Therapy Online: The Ecosystem in 2023,” is a comprehensive follow-up to its 2022 research that found harmful conversion therapy disinformation thriving online. 

UNDP's #WeBelongAfrica: Inclusive Governance Initiative provided research support to the study in South Africa. 

This research includes a detailed country-by-country analysis, emphasizing the nuances and specific challenges faced in each region. The findings serve as a critical reminder of the global context of conversion therapy, including its legal status, the devastating effects of this practice, and the strength of the global anti-LGBTQ+ movement. The report calls for increased responsibility and action from social media platforms and search engines in combating the spread of harmful conversion therapy disinformation.

For more information, read the full press release.