New online tool launched to eradicate gay ‘cure’ therapies
A new online tool aiming to eradicate gay “cure” therapies has been launched.
Global LGBT rights organisation All Out has launched the tool, ‘Gay Cure Watch’, which was funded by members.
It aims to allow members and international partners to report and shut down gay “cures” in whatever form they take.
“No one should be told that their love is a disease,” said Leandro Ramos, Interim Executive Director of All Out.
“The Gay ‘Cure’ Watch is a powerful tool, funded entirely by All Out members, which will allow our organisation to find out where these dangerous “treatments” are happening and get them shut down once and for all.”
Gay ‘cure’ treatments are a damaging practice which take place around the world, from religious counselling to electric shock treatment.
Few jurisdictions have banned the practice, but more are discussing legislation to outlaw it.
All Out notes that the “outdated” and “medically unfounded” practices can cause harm to the subjects, including increasing the risk of depression and suicide.
In the UK earlier this month, Parliament debated banning the practice of gay ‘cure’ therapies for minors.
The Prime Minister David Cameron in April pledged to PinkNews that a future Conservative government would act to end so called “gay cure” therapy, which attempts to change the sexuality of a person, labelling the practice as “dangerous” and “profoundly wrong”.
Tory peer Lord Black of Brentwood, who is intending to table a bill to ban the therapies at the time told PinkNews: “I’m delighted that David Cameron also agrees with the gay community that ‘reparative therapies’ are profoundly wrong.
“It’s great to hear the Prime Minister- who has been such a strong supporter of LGBT rights throughout this Parliament- commit the Conservative Party to such a tough stance.
“I want to work with parties of all colours in the next parliament to introduce legislation to bring an end to these cruel practices.”
Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg also spoke out about gay cure therapy, telling PinkNews in a Q&A that it was “dangerous nonsense”.
Labour leader Ed Miliband also said his party was opposed to the use of gay cure therapy.
Some states in the US have legislated to ban the practice for minors. It is currently banned in California, New Jersey and Washington D.C.
