PsySSA-Endorsed International Declaration Against SOGIE Conversion Practices Launched at ICAP 2026
The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) welcomes the official launch of the IPsyNet Declaration Against Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression (SOGIE) Conversion Practices at the International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP 2026), held in Florence, Italy.
PsySSA is proud to be among the organisations that have formally endorsed this important international declaration, reaffirming our commitment to evidence-based psychological practice, ethical professional standards, human rights, and the dignity of all people.
Developed through the collaborative work of the IPsyNet Policy Committee with contributions from representatives across 12 countries, the declaration reflects the growing global scientific consensus that sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression are natural aspects of human diversity and should never be the target of attempts to change, suppress, or eliminate them.
The declaration defines SOGIE conversion practices as systematic psychological, behavioural, medical, or spiritual interventions intended to alter or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Drawing on decades of psychological research and the positions of leading psychological and mental health organisations worldwide, it concludes that these practices:
- Lack scientific validity and are not supported by psychological evidence.
- Cause significant psychological harm, including increased risks of depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and suicidality.
- Violate fundamental human rights and ethical principles.
- Reinforce stigma and discrimination against sexual and gender diverse people.
- Contradict affirmative, evidence-based psychological care.
The declaration calls on psychologists, professional associations, policymakers, educators, and governments to reject SOGIE conversion practices, promote affirmative psychological care, and support policies that protect the rights, dignity, and well-being of sexual and gender diverse individuals.
As an endorsing organisation, PsySSA joins colleagues from around the world in advancing ethical, evidence-informed psychological practice and promoting inclusive mental health care that respects the diversity of all people.
PsySSA remains committed to advancing psychology in service of humanity and supporting professional practice that upholds scientific evidence, human rights, and social justice.
