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Torture, abuse and humiliation: what are the “conversion therapies” trying to ban in Colombia

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Bad calls for a few days”conversion therapies” are topics of conversation in Colombia. 58 deputies from different parties support the project that aims to ban them permanently. There will be time until June 19 to make it happen.

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However, What are “conversion therapies”?

According to a United Nations (UN) report, conversion therapy (named after those who perform it) “are practices representative of torture that violate the sexual and reproductive rights of LGBTIQ+ people”.

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According to the testimonies of the victims who appeared at the Colombian hearing, the atrocities suffered by those subjected to these treatments range from humiliation to sexual abuse.

Carolina Giraldo Botero, one of the people behind the project.  Photo: Facebook

Carolina Giraldo Botero, one of the people behind the project. Photo: Facebook

The topic on the table

On May 11 there was a public hearing in the Congress of the Republic where bill 272 of the House of Representatives was discussed which seeks to eradicate and prohibit in Colombia the Efforts to change sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (ECOSIEG).

Many victims have appeared at the congress to recount the humiliations they have suffered when others have tried to “transform” them into something they are not.

“As they put me on a screen of gay porn, they put my head in a basin of cold water while yelling at me that I was an abomination for being homosexual, for being a fag,” said the survivor. John Paul Vargas.

Vargas underwent “conversion therapy” for four years and then, when he left treatment, was treated by two psychologists for developing “suicidal tendencies,” among other things.

This person also recalled in the hearing that “conversion therapies” violate article 12 of the political constitution of Colombia, which establishes that cruel and inhuman treatments are prohibited.

Juan Pablo Vargas, a victim who testified at the hearing.  Photo: Facebook

Juan Pablo Vargas, a victim who testified at the hearing. Photo: Facebook

“It’s not therapy. it’s a torture when attempting to change sexual orientation or gender identity through violence. The testimonies of inhumane treatments, of survivors of alleged ‘conversion therapies’ show a world of cruelty, that’s why we will ban them!” she said. Caroline Giraldo Boteroone of the people behind the project.

Manuel VelandiaLGBTIQ+ activist, said that “torture and the violation of human and sexual rights do not correspond to equity, solidarity and respect, and even less to the love that Jesus of Nazareth taught us”.

Danne Aro Belmonta Colombian activist known to have been forced by her parents to “be cured of homosexuality,” told the BBC at the time: “They threw ashes at me and told me my spirit was scarred and needed to be cleaned”.

LGBTIQ+ activist Manuel Velandia.  Photo: Facebook

LGBTIQ+ activist Manuel Velandia. Photo: Facebook

This is supported by those who presented the bill one in five people in the LGBTIQ+ community have been forced to undergo “conversion therapy” be heterosexual or cisgender.

To be approved, the Project must be managed by 19 June. If not it will be archived.

Source: Clarin

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