One In Five LGBT+ People Targeted by Conversion Therapy In Colombia

One in five LGBT+ people have undergone conversion therapy in Colombia to “make them straight” rising to one in three trans people.

Colombia’s largest LGBT+ survey by the US-based Williams Institute at UCLA and Colombia Collaborative Project, which involved almost 5,000 respondents, showed that it was evident that psychological distress levels were very high amongst LGBT+ people, with one in two thinking of suicide and one in four attempting to end their life.

“Considering the levels of violence, victimisation, and discrimination that LGBT respondents experienced, it is not surprising that respondents reported such high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts,” said co-author Jennifer Florez-Donado.

“As a clinical psychologist, every week I have parents who come to me with their LGBT children ... so that I can help their children become heterosexual,” she said, adding that Colombian families also turn to religious leaders to cure the “illness”.

As ‘Reuters’ reports, the survey highlighted that trans people continue to be the most stigmatised LGBT+ group. Nearly one in four trans people reported physical abuse from a police officer - more than double the rate among gay Colombians.

Researchers said the survey could help policymakers better address the urgent mental health care needs of LGBT+ people in Colombia.

“This research shows how critical it is to develop suicide prevention and violence treatment programs for LGBT people in the country,” Florez-Donado told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Read related myGwork articles here:

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Germany Passes Law Banning Conversion Therapy For Minors

In Indonesia, People Are Turning To Exorcisms To ‘Cure’ Members Of The LGBT+ Community

American Medical Association Backs Conversion Therapy Ban

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