BRAZIL IS LEGALIZING LGBTQ+ CONVERSION THERAPY!?
After an 18-year ban on “gay conversion therapy” in Brazil, one of their more useless federal judges, Waldemar de Carvalho, has decided that there are grounds for the ban to be lifted. According to this incompetent moron, being gay is a “disease” that requires treatment, though after media frenzy he claims that he meant homosexuality was “misunderstood”. Ridiculous evangelical Christian and non-psychologist Rozangela Justino had her license revoked last year for offering the non-therapy, but de Carvalho overruled the decision while reviewing her case in court.
The fact that this “therapy” existed – anywhere – in the first place is disgusting, but the fact that despite being deemed a breach of human rights it now has the potential to be revived is fucking despicable. Even though Brazil legalized gay marriage in 2013 and has a thriving LGBTQ+ tourist scene, tension has risen in the country as far-right groups grow bigger and gain more attention. Even Rio’s own mayor believes that being gay is a “terrible evil” caused by “botched abortions”. On average, one LGBTQ+ person is murdered in Brazil EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Despite threats, LGBTQ+ communities are still fighting for their rights, piling onto the streets last Friday 22nd of September to protest the judge’s ruling, and the far-right groups that support it. David Miranda, one of Brazil’s rare openly gay politicians said, “Like various countries in the world, Brazil is suffering a conservative wave,” which sadly is an accurate depiction of the global climate and the rate of regression we are witnessing. The Federal Council of Psychology is planning to review the case, confident that they will be able to reverse the backwards decision. Whatever the eventual outcome, this news reflects a dark time for Brazil.
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Illustration by Millie Martin