I am a grade 11 student living in Newfoundland. In my ethics class, we are doing a deep learning project. Each student got to pick a topic they were passionate about and try to make a difference. My topic is LGBT rights. 

A huge part of LGBT discrimination is Conversion Therapy. 

"Conversion therapy is the pseudo-scientific practice of trying to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions. There is no reliable evidence that sexual orientation can be changed, and medical institutions warn that conversion therapy practices are ineffective and potentially harmful. Medical, scientific, and government organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom have expressed concern over the validity, efficacy and ethics of conversion therapy."

To simplify it, Conversion therapy is a process in which someone tries to change another's sexual orientation. This is done through a series of traumatizing and harmful acts against an LGBT person. These "therapies" stick with victims a lifetime, and haunt those who know it could still happen to them.

Throughout my research, I realized that my topic hits closer to home than expected. There are no laws against conversion therapy in NL. I read through multiple court documents relating to LGBT rights within NL, and not one mentioned anything about the practice. 

Putting a ban on Conversion therapy in NL is not wanted, it is needed for LGBT people to live safely within our province. It is a small step towards a huge leap for LGBT rights.