Otis Singleton
Mike Pence has been accused of supporting gay conversion therapy, including the use of electroshock therapy, to electrocute the gay out of teenagers. However, he has never explicitly stated his support for the use of electroshock therapy or gay conversion therapy. The allegations stem from a 2000 campaign statement where he referred to institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior. While change their sexual behavior is a broad term, it has been widely interpreted as a reference to conversion therapy, which has been banned in five states. Pence's office has denied the allegations, stating that he has never supported conversion therapy and that his words were misinterpreted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Pence believe in electroshock therapy? | There is no evidence that Pence has ever explicitly stated his support for electroshock therapy. However, he has been accused of supporting "gay conversion therapy" and diverting funds towards it. |
| Evidence for support | In 2000, Pence's campaign website included a statement about "assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior." This has been widely interpreted as a reference to conversion therapy, and possibly electroshock therapy. |
| Evidence against support | Pence's spokesperson denied that he supports conversion therapy, stating that his past comments were misinterpreted. Pence has also never explicitly mentioned electroshock therapy in his statements. |
| Stance on related issues | Pence has a history of opposing gay rights and has suggested that homosexuality is a choice. He has also expressed concern about hate crime laws limiting religious freedom to speak out against homosexuality. |
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What You'll Learn
Pence's stance on gay conversion therapy
There is no evidence that Mike Pence has ever explicitly supported gay conversion therapy or electroshock gay conversion therapy. However, his stance on the issue has been widely debated, with many interpreting his statements as signalling support for the practice.
In 2000, during his first successful bid for Congress, Pence's campaign website included a statement that "resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behaviour". While Pence's office has stated that this referred to support for groups promoting "safe sexual practices", the phrase has been interpreted as a reference to conversion therapy. Gay and lesbian leaders, for instance, argue that the statement gives the impression of support for conversion therapy when viewed in the context of Pence's long opposition to LGBT rights.
Pence has been a vocal opponent of gay rights and has a history of clashing with the LGBT community. In 2015, he angered gay rights groups when he signed a religious freedom bill that opponents said would allow businesses to discriminate against customers based on their sexual orientation. Pence later backtracked when state lawmakers changed the law to prohibit discrimination. Additionally, in 2016, the Republican Party platform, of which Pence was vice-presidential nominee, included a line supporting the "right of parents to determine the proper medical treatment and therapy for their minor children". Critics claimed that this passage was aimed at accepting the notion that one's sexual orientation can be changed through conversion therapy.
Despite these controversies, Pence has denied supporting conversion therapy. His office has stated that he has been ""abundantly clear" that he has never supported the practice, and his aide conveyed to the head of the U.S. Olympic Committee that it was incorrect that Pence supported conversion therapy.
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Electroshock therapy as a gay conversion therapy technique
Electroshock therapy, also known as electroconvulsive therapy, is a technique that was historically used as a form of gay conversion therapy. The practice involves administering electrical shocks to individuals, sometimes to their genitals, while exposing them to gay pornography or cross-dressing. This form of "treatment" aimed to change a person's sexual orientation and suppress their gender identity, causing them to conform to societal expectations.
The origins of gay conversion therapy can be traced back to the 19th century, with various theories and practices emerging over time. In the 1970s, behaviorist Hans Eysenck advocated for counterconditioning using malaise-inducing drugs and electric shocks for homosexuals. His studies were disputed, and gay activist Peter Tatchell denounced his form of therapy as torture, linking it to depression and suicide among gay men.
Chris, a gay man who underwent electric shock "therapy" in the 1970s, shared his traumatic experience. He was referred to a clinical psychologist at the University of Birmingham by his GP, who promised a “cure” for his sexuality. Chris endured painful and distressing sessions multiple times a week for several months, resulting in over 40 years of extreme post-traumatic stress disorder and poor mental health.
Gareth, another individual who underwent gay conversion therapy for four years, described feeling "broken" by the experience. He emphasized that being LGBT cannot be cured or erased, and joined calls for the government to ban conversion therapy.
While the American Psychological Association and other groups have rejected the use of electric shocks as a form of gay conversion therapy, the practice has been tacitly endorsed by political figures like Mike Pence. Pence has been accused of supporting gay conversion therapy, particularly electroshock therapy, through his statements and policy positions. However, he has never explicitly stated his support for these practices on the record.
As of 2023, gay conversion therapy has been banned by law in five US states (California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont) and Washington, D.C.
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The legality of gay conversion therapy
While gay conversion therapy has been banned by law in several US states and municipalities, it is not outlawed at the federal level. As of 2025, 27 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and over 100 municipalities have instituted bans on conversion therapy and its governmental funding. These include California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont, as well as Washington, D.C. Some states, like Kentucky, have attempted to ban conversion therapy but have faced legislative challenges.
Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, is a range of practices that falsely claim to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. These practices have been rejected by mainstream medical and mental health organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the American Medical Association, among others. Despite this, a 2023 report found over 1,300 active conversion therapists still operating in almost all US states.
Mike Pence, the former vice president of the United States, has been accused of supporting gay conversion therapy, including the use of electroshock therapy. While he has never explicitly stated his support for these practices, a statement on his 2000 congressional campaign website has been interpreted as signaling his endorsement of conversion therapy. Pence has been a vocal opponent of gay rights and has made comments about "seeking to change their sexual behavior," which has been seen as a reference to conversion therapy.
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The use of federal funding for gay conversion therapy
Gay conversion therapy, also known as "reparative therapy", refers to discredited psychotherapy methods that aim to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. While the practice has been banned by law in five states (California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont) and in Washington, D.C., it is still legal and enforced in several other states. For instance, 11 states have a ruling that prevents the enforcement of conversion therapy bans.
Mike Pence, a longtime vocal opponent of gay rights, has been accused of supporting gay conversion therapy, particularly the use of electroshock therapy. However, he has never explicitly stated his support for this practice. The accusations stem from a 2000 campaign statement where he referred to institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior. While "change their sexual behavior" is a broad term, it has been widely interpreted as a reference to gay conversion therapy. Additionally, in 2016, an image appeared on social media accusing Pence of supporting the use of electric shocks as part of conversion therapy.
Despite the lack of direct evidence, Pence's stance on the issue has been a cause for concern for LGBT groups, given his record of opposing gay rights and the approving reference to conversion therapy in the 2016 Republican Party platform. The Republican Party platform included a line supporting the "right of parents to determine the proper medical treatment and therapy for their minor children", which was seen by some as a tacit endorsement of conversion therapy.
In terms of federal funding, there have been efforts to prohibit Medicaid funding for conversion therapy, with bills introduced in both the 116th and 117th Congresses. However, it is unclear if these efforts specifically address electroshock therapy as a form of conversion therapy.
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Pence's record on LGBT rights
Mike Pence has been a longtime vocal opponent of gay rights. He has been particularly dogged by accusations that he is a supporter of "gay conversion therapy", which seeks to cure patients of being attracted to members of the same sex. However, Pence has never stated outright that he supports the use of electric shocks or "gay conversion" therapy.
In 2000, when Pence was running for Congress, his website referenced "institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior". This statement has been widely interpreted as a reference to conversion therapy. In 2006, Pence rose in support of a constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman. He also opposed a law that would prohibit discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace, and he rejected the Obama administration directive on transgender bathrooms.
In 2017, reports surfaced that then-President Trump joked about Pence wanting to execute gay people, saying, "Don't ask that guy—he wants to hang them all!". Pence also opposed State Department training that required officials to advocate for LGBTQ rights, saying that it was at odds with American values. He has also been criticised for hosting a dinner for anti-LGBTQ advocates and signing a religious freedom bill into law in Indiana, which cost the state more than $60 million in economic damage.
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Frequently asked questions
Mike Pence has never explicitly stated that he supports electroshock therapy. However, he has been accused of supporting "gay conversion" therapy, which includes the use of electroshock therapy.
"Gay conversion" therapy, also known as "reparative therapy", is a controversial practice that seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It has been discredited by the medical establishment and banned in several US states.
Mike Pence has never explicitly stated that he supports "gay conversion" therapy. However, his statements and actions have been widely interpreted as signalling his support for the practice. For example, in 2000, Pence wrote on his campaign website that "resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior."
Yes, Pence's office has denied the rumours, stating that he has never supported conversion therapy and that his past statements have been misinterpreted.
The debate centres on a paragraph from Pence's 2000 campaign website, which has been interpreted as a reference to conversion therapy. Gay rights groups argue that the language used is a clear indication of his support for the practice, while others claim it is vague and does not explicitly mention conversion therapy.
