British journalist Patrick Strudwick infiltrated a network of therapists that promise to “convert” gay people to become straight and found that “ex-gay” therapy is an American export.

Strudwick, who is gay, delivers a fascinating report of his experience going undercover for several months in The Independent.  One of his findings is that the therapists in Britain are inspired by the coordination of “conversion” or “reparative” therapists in the United States.

“According to a report by Professor Michael King of University College London, one in six UK psychiatrists and psychotherapists have sought to reduce or change a patient's sexual orientation,” writes Strudwick. “And with the help of the American conversion therapy movement, practitioners here, along with a clutch of international ‘conversion’ organisations, are becoming co-ordinated and unified. They plan to gain credibility, university backing and government funding. In some cases, the NHS is even paying for the treatment.”

Read the report here.