Background “Conversion therapy” practices (CTP) are organized and sustained efforts to avoid the adoption of non-heterosexual sexual orientations and/or of gender identities not assigned at birth. Few data are available to inform the contemporary prevalence of CTP. The aim of this study is to quantify the prevalence of CTP among Canadian sexual and gender minority men, including details regarding the setting, age of initiation, and duration of CTP exposure. Methods Sexual and gender minority men, including transmen and non-binary individuals, aged ≥ 15, living in Canada were recruited via social media and networking applications and websites, November 2019—February 2020. Participants provided demographic data and detailed information about their experiences with CTP. Results 21% of respondents (N = 9,214) indicated that they or any person with authority (e.g., parent, caregiver) ever tried to change their sexual orientation or gender identity, and 10% had experienced CTP. CTP experience was highest among non-binary (20%) and transgender respondents (19%), those aged 15–19 years (13%), immigrants (15%), and racial/ethnic minorities (11–22%, with variability by identity). Among the n = 910 participants who experienced CTP, most experienced CTP in religious/faith-based settings (67%) or licensed healthcare provider offices (20%). 72% of those who experienced CTP first attended before the age of 20 years, 24% attended for one year or longer, and 31% attended more than five sessions. Interpretation CTP remains prevalent in Canada and is most prevalent among younger cohorts, transgender people, immigrants, and racial/ethnic minorities. Legislation, policy, and education are needed that target both religious and healthcare settings.
Purpose: Longitudinal data on the experience and perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) is limited. We estimated the prevalence of past six-month (P6M) physical and/or sexual IPV (hereafter IPV) experience and perpetration, identified their determinants, and assessed temporal trends, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We used data from the Engage Cohort Study (2017-2022) of GBM recruited using respondent-driven sampling in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) for determinants and self-reported P6M IPV were estimated using generalized estimating equations, accounting for attrition (inverse probability of censoring weights) and relevant covariates. Longitudinal trends of IPV were also assessed. Results: Between 2017-2022, 1,455 partnered GBM (median age 32 years, 82% gay, and 71% white) had at least one follow-up visit. Baseline proportions were 31% for lifetime IPV experience and 17% for lifetime perpetration. During follow-up, P6M IPV experience was more common (6%, 95%CI: 5-7%) than perpetration (4%, 95%CI: 3-5%). Factors associated with P6M IPV experience include prior IPV experience (aPR=2.79, 95%CI: 1.83-4.27), less education (aPR=2.08, 95%CI: 1.14-3.79), and substance use (injection aPR=5.68, 95%CI: 2.92-11.54, non-injection aPR=1.70, 95%CI: 1.05-2.76). Similar factors were associated with IPV perpetration. IPV was stable over time; periods of COVID-19 restrictions were not associated with IPV changes in this cohort. Conclusion: Prevalence of IPV was high among GBM. Determinants related to marginalization are associated with an increased risk of IPV. Interventions should address these determinants to reduce IPV and improve health.
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