Fri Apr 11 12:30:00 UTC 2025: ## SNL Star Bowen Yang Opens Up About Undergoing Gay Conversion Therapy
**New York, NY** – Bowen Yang, a prominent cast member of Saturday Night Live, has revealed in a recent interview that he underwent gay conversion therapy as a teenager. In a preview clip for an upcoming episode of *Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist*, Yang described the experience as “painful and detrimental,” explaining that his parents, unfamiliar with LGBTQ+ issues, ultimately sent him to therapy after discovering his sexuality through online conversations.
Yang’s parents presented him with a choice: undergo conversion therapy and attend New York University with his sister, or stay in Denver and attend a local college. While the latter option seemed less daunting, Yang’s desire to live in New York City led him to comply. He acknowledges now that the experience caused significant emotional harm, requiring substantial healing afterward.
Yang, who came out publicly in 2021, emphasized the difficulty his parents had initially grappling with his sexuality due to their lack of understanding and cultural context. He expressed grace towards them, stating that they “just have no context for it.”
The interview highlights the harmful nature of conversion therapy, a practice condemned by the Human Rights Campaign as dangerous and discredited. Colorado, where Yang underwent the therapy, is one of 19 states that have banned the practice for minors.
Despite this difficult experience, Yang stated he now enjoys a healthy relationship with his parents, who are supportive of his career success. Yang’s candid discussion serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of conversion therapy and the importance of understanding and acceptance within families.
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