Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about conversion therapy, psychological abuse, and self-harm. We share these stories to raise awareness and foster healing, but we recognize they may be difficult to hear. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. If you or someone you know is struggling, resources like The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386) are available to provide support.

Conversion therapy survivor Syre Klenke speaks openly about the damaging impact of being forced into years of so-called “treatment” as a teenager and the depression that followed, while also showing how authenticity and community became a way forward. Joining John Corella, Syre recalls the shock of being taken to a conversion therapy conference under the guise of a family outing, the gaslighting he endured from both licensed therapists and church leaders, and the loss of everyday teenage milestones like dating and prom. These stories reveal how conversion therapy robs young people of their sense of safety and self, leaving scars that last well into adulthood. Yet Syre also reflects on the resilience it takes to survive, the courage to tell the truth, and the importance of building spaces where no one has to hide who they are. This episode confronts the damaging reality of conversion therapy while reminding us that healing is possible through honesty, courage, and community.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcome to Dance Dad with John Corella

01:26 Meet Syre Klenke: Comedian, Activist, Conversion Therapy Survivor

04:46 What Conversion Therapy Really Means and Why It’s Damaging

07:58 Surviving Four Years of Forced Conversion Therapy

12:05 Losing High School Milestones and Identity

18:43 The Most Traumatizing Moments of Conversion Therapy

27:49 Abuse and Self-Harm Tactics Inside Conversion Therapy

29:29 Mental Health Struggles and Depression Afterward

34:33 Religion, Patriarchy, and Gender Roles in Conversion Therapy

39:09 Why Survivor Stories Must Be Told

42:14 Conversion Therapy in Politics and the Supreme Court Case

EP 40: Our Damaging Experiences With Conversion Therapy