Report Claims Google Directs Parents of Queer Youth to Conversion Therapy Sites

A new report from Uncloseted Media, as covered by LGBTQ Nation, has raised alarms across the LGBTQ+ community after alleging that Google’s search engine is directing parents searching for advice and support for their gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer children toward websites that promote or endorse conversion therapy practices. Conversion therapy—also known as “sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts”—is a widely discredited and dangerous practice that purports to turn queer people straighta nd cisgender through mental health or religious interventions .

The presence of conversion therapy resources in search results is particularly concerning given the well-documented risks associated with these practices. Every major American mental health and medical association—including the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association—has condemned conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful. Research consistently shows that LGBTQ+ youth exposed to conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide and more than 2.5 times as likely to report multiple suicide attempts within a year .

The psychological toll of conversion therapy includes depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and a range of post-traumatic responses such as shame, guilt, and damaged familial relationships . A peer-reviewed study published in JAMA Pediatrics estimates that the practice and its associated harms cost the U.S. economy over $9 billion annually, reflecting both direct health care costs and broader social impacts.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have responded swiftly to the report, calling on Google to review its search algorithms and ensure that parents and youth seeking support are directed to reputable, affirming resources. “The fact that some search results may lead vulnerable families to conversion therapy is deeply disturbing and underscores the urgent need for tech companies to act responsibly,” said a spokesperson for The Trevor Project, a leading organization dedicated to crisis intervention and suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth .

GLAAD, another prominent LGBTQ+ advocacy group, echoed these concerns, stating that exposure to conversion therapy messaging can have lifelong negative effects on youth and their families . “We have made significant progress in banning conversion therapy for minors in many states, but the threat remains real online, where misinformation can spread unchecked,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO.

Research from The Trevor Project and the Movement Advancement Project highlights the lifesaving impact of family acceptance for LGBTQ+ youth. Even one accepting adult in a young person’s life can reduce the risk of suicide by nearly 40 percent . In sharp contrast, conversion therapy is fundamentally an expression of rejection, which only increases isolation and mental health risks for LGBTQ+ individuals.

One parent of a transgender teen, interviewed in a recent Human Rights Watch report, described the importance of supportive and affirming care: “Doctors listened to what our child needed rather than steering us toward harmful ‘treatments.’ That made all the difference in our family’s well-being” .

In response to the allegations, advocacy organizations are urging Google and other search engine providers to implement stronger safeguards that filter out content promoting or endorsing conversion therapy. Recommendations include prioritizing links to evidence-based mental health resources, collaborating with LGBTQ+ organizations to audit search results, and increasing transparency around algorithmic decision-making. Social media platforms such as TikTok have recently updated community guidelines to prohibit content that promotes conversion therapy, misgendering, and deadnaming .

The reported search engine issue comes at a time when legislative battles over conversion therapy are ongoing across the United States. Twenty-two states and numerous municipalities have enacted bans on conversion therapy for minors by licensed professionals, but loopholes remain—especially for religious and unlicensed providers . Federal legislation to ban conversion therapy nationwide has stalled repeatedly in Congress.

Advocates argue that online access to conversion therapy resources undermines policy efforts intended to protect LGBTQ+ youth. “It is unacceptable that, despite legislative progress, families can still inadvertently encounter these dangerous practices with a simple web search,” said a spokesperson for the Movement Advancement Project .

Experts recommend that parents and caregivers seeking guidance for supporting LGBTQ+ youth rely on established, evidence-based resources provided by organizations like The Trevor Project, GLAAD, PFLAG, and the National Center for Transgender Equality. Access to affirming information and peer support can make a critical difference in a young person’s mental health and well-being .

Families are also encouraged to be vigilant about the online information they encounter, to critically evaluate websites for signs of discredited or harmful practices, and to seek help from professionals with expertise in LGBTQ+ health.

While the alleged search engine issue remains under investigation, the incident has reignited calls for a comprehensive, global effort to eradicate conversion therapy in all its forms—both offline and online. Survivor-advocates and mental health professionals stress that affirming care, not rejection or coercion, is what LGBTQ+ youth need to thrive .