Publications Health & HIV/AIDS

Report

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts and Suicide Morbidity Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in Colombia

July 2021

Using data from the largest survey of LGBTQ people in Colombia to date, this article examines the prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts of LGBTQ adults in the country. It also assesses the association between exposure to conversion therapy and suicide. It appeared in LGBT Health in July 2021.

AUTHORS

Ana María del Río-González
Assistant Research Professor, George Washington University
Maria Cecilia Zea
Professor, George Washington University
Jennifer Flórez-Donado
Professor, Universidad Simón Bolívar
Prince Torres-Salazar
Professor, Universidad Simón Bolívar
Daniela Abello-Luque
Professor, Universidad de la Costa
Eileen Andrea García-Montaño
Professor, Universidad de la Costa
Paola Andrea García-Roncallo
Professor, Universidad de la Costa
Ilan H. Meyer
Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy

CONTACT US ABOUT THIS STUDY

Highlights

Conversion therapy is a discredited practice intended to change the sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression of LGBTQ people.

The rate of lifetime suicide attempts among LGBTQ people in Colombia is almost 10 times higher than among the general Colombian population.

LGBTQ Colombians who underwent conversion therapy were more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.

Data Points

22%

of LGBTQ people in Colombia have undergone conversion therapy

49%

of them received it from a religious leader

42%

of transgender men have experienced conversion therapy

34%

of transgender women experienced conversion therapy

76%

greater likelihood of attempting suicide among those who have undergone conversion therapy

25%

of LGBTQ people in Colombia have attempted suicide

2.6%

of the general public in Colombia has attempted suicide

81%

of nonbinary people assigned female at birth had thought about suicide

Please contact our communications office to request a copy of this study.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts and Suicide Morbidity Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in Colombia