LGBTQ Brazilians take to the streets after use of 'Gay Cure' is authorised
- Text by Biju Belinky
- Photography by Theo McIness
This Friday afternoon hundreds of members of the LGBTQ community and their allies will be taking the streets of Brazil’s biggest cities to protest a judge’s decision to make legal the usage of the “Gay Cure”.
The usage of “sexual reversion therapy”, which seeks to “turn” LGBTQ individuals straight, has been forbidden in the country since 1999. This new ruling, authorised on 15 of September by judge Waldemar Cláudio de Carvalho, was issued after three “therapists” who vehemently believe in the use of the “cure” and consider homosexuality to be a disease put in a request for the ban to be lifted.
This step backwards accompanies a strong wave of homophobia and hyper-conservative views that are sweeping through Brazil right now. The decision came right after the forced closure of an exhibition about queer identities in art, and was strongly supported by members of the government who hold deeply evangelical views.
Today, the Federal Council of Psychology has requested a reconsideration of the judge’s decision. They are supported by the Brazilian Order of Lawyers, and affirm that the practice of gay cure therapy “represents a violation of human rights and has no scientific basis”.
As well as that, multiple independent LGBTQ rights organisations have organised events, planned for this afternoon. The description of one of the events, based in São Paulo, reads: “We of the LGBTQ movement will occupy the streets with pride to revoke this bizarre decision looking to set back 27 years of achievements by LGBTQ activists.”
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
As salmon farming booms, Icelanders size up an existential threat
Seyðisfjörður — The industry has seen huge growth in recent years, with millions of fish being farmed in the Atlantic Ocean. But who benefits from its commercial success, and what does it mean for the ocean? Phil Young ventures to the remote country to find out.
Written by: Phil Young
Leticia Bufoni is one of the greatest skaters ever. Now she’s tearing up asphalt.
Vamos, Leticia! — The Brazilian trailblazer helped rewrite the rulebook for women in skateboarding – and now she’s setting the pace behind the wheel for Porsche. For Huck’s 20th Anniversary Issue, she reflects on shredding stereotypes, building a career in male-dominated spaces, empowering the next generation, and the lessons that defined her journey.
Written by: Tracy Kawalik
Activists hack London billboards to call out big tech harm
Tax Big Tech: With UK youth mental health services under strain, guerrilla billboards across the capital accuse social media companies of profiting from a growing crisis.
Written by: Ella Glossop
In photos: The boys of the Bibby Stockholm
Bibby Boys — A new exhibition by Theo McInnes and Thomas Ralph documents the men who lived on the three-story barge in Dorset, giving them the chance to control their own narrative.
Written by: Thomas Ralph
‘We’re going to stop you’: House Against Hate tap Ben UFO, Greentea Peng and Shygirl for anti-far right protest
R3 Soundsystem — It takes place on March 28 in London’s Trafalgar Square, with a huge line-up of DJs, artists and crews named on the line-up.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Why is the Amazon’s ‘great roar’ river wave shrinking?
Pororoca — Set in northern Brazil’s edge, a miles long tidal bore has become a destination for waveriders attempting its endless surf. But its future is uncertain, as landscape and weather changes have seen its power mellow in recent years.
Written by: Gaia Neiman
