QCOSTARICA — Costa Rica is among 68 countries identified in an independent report commissioned by the United Nations as allowing and utilizing sexual conversion therapies.
This practice, considered a form of modern torture, is intended to alter the sexual orientation and identity of individuals within the LGBTIQ+ community.
Human rights groups report the use of pseudoscientific methods, such as humiliation, electric shocks, and drugs that induce vomiting, in combination with exposure to homoerotic material.
This is why the Frente Amplio (FA) party has been promoting a law since 2018 to prohibit these practices and their promotion, as well as establish sanctions, among other measures.
The initiative is in the final stretch of its process but faces opposition from the conservative party, Nueva República, and President Rodrigo Chaves, who acknowledged not having read the initiative.
“Conversion therapies have been classified as a form of torture by different international human rights organizations, by the College of Psychologists of Costa Rica and by the World Health Organization. The goal of sexual conversion therapy is to provoke in the person hatred and rejection of themselves, those they love, and their identity. This has serious repercussions on physical and mental health,” said Enrique Sánchez, human rights consultant for the organization Inclusive.
Currently, the outcome of the plan’s future is uncertain as the Nueva Republica is considering blocking the proposal in the plenary session due to concerns about potential violations of the right to free expression.
“There are many lies behind this proposal. They practically say that pastors, priests and psychologists apply torture against homosexuals so that they stop being homosexual. If this were the case, the courts of Costa Rica would be full of complaints because torture is already punished in our country,” said David Segura, a Nueva Republica legislator.
The proposal seeks to “silence all Christian people” and also psychologists, “because if a person has the right to be homosexual, they also have the right to ask for help and counseling from religious leaders if they want to stop being homosexual,” Segura added.
The proposal being discussed in the Assembly limits these rights, according to Segura.
At the beginning of March, the embassies of the United States, Canada, Colombia, Spain and the Netherlands jointly supported the ban on sexual conversion therapies, arguing that “they usually cause deep and lasting psychological and physical trauma to the people affected.”
For its part, the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica stated in a statement that it does not agree with the plan, since “the rights of those people who, freely, do not feel satisfied with their condition and want to seek help to change are violated.”
What are conversion therapies?
The Oxford Languages definition of conversion therapies: the practice of attempting to cause a non-heterosexual person to become heterosexual by using psychoanalysis, behavior modification, spiritual counseling, etc.
International rights organizations consider conversion therapies to be torture:
- It is any sustained effort to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
- Through techniques ranging from discredit, dishonor and humiliation, the aim is to correct the sexual nature of a person.
- Therapies are carried out by religious leaders and supposed specialists in the area of health
Electric shocks and the use of drugs that induce vomiting during exposure to homoerotic material are some of the techniques - The techniques lack a scientific basis
- For the UN, this is discrimination similar to torture and humiliation
The highlights of the proposal before Costa Rica’s legislative assembly on conversion therapies:
- Carry out, impart, apply, force or finance treatments that prevent, undermine, annul or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
- Any misleading or ambiguous propaganda or advertising that may be harmful to people’s health is prohibited.
- Payment of 60 to 100 days fine
- Suspension or cancellation of the respective operating license or health permit
Sexual diversity is not a disease or psychiatric disorder, according to human rights defenders.
