Transporting the Burden of Justification: The Unethicality of Transgender Conversion Practices

Abstract

Transgender conversion practices involve attempts to alter, discourage, or suppress a person’s gender identity and/or desired gender presentation, including by delaying or preventing gender transition. Proponents of the practices have argued that they should be allowed until proven to be harmful. Drawing on the notion of expressive equality, I argue that conversion practices are prima facie unethical because they do not fulfill a legitimate clinical purpose and conflict with the self-understanding of trans communities.

EDITORS’ INTRODUCTION: Transgender Health Equity and the Law

“…Florence Ashley examines rights and equality through the legal and social landscape of conversion practices, “attempts to alter, discourage, or suppress a person’s gender identity and/or desired gender presentation, including by delaying or preventing gender transition.” 27 She walks the reader through a description of transgender conversion practices and research regarding its impact, examining the legal landscape with a particular emphasis on the analysis of expressive equality. She examines concepts of professional responsibility for both medical and legal practitioners and ultimately makes the case that those who wish to practice conversion therapy, not those who oppose it, bear the burden of justifying the practice.…”