Commission in Brazil approves overturning ‘gay cure’ ban

A congressional human rights commission in Brazil on Tuesday approved an initiative to overturn a ban on “gay cure” treatments in effect since 1999, again allowing Brazilian psychologists to “treat” homosexuality.

The Commission for Human Rights and Minorities in Brazil’s lower house is led by anti-gay evangelical pastor from the Social Christian Party Marco Feliciano, whose appointment as head of the was vehemently opposed by human rights groups.

The initiative has been opposed by members of the Federal Psychology Council, who called on members of the commission to vote it down.

“It [homosexuality] is not a perversion nor a disorder nor a behavioural disturbance. Since this is the case, we cannot offer a cure, and that is an ethical principle,” said council member Huberto Verona.

As the initiative must still be approved by a number of other law-making bodies, opponents have expressed confidence it will not make it through the legislative process.