Filenews 19 March 2022 - by Despina Psilou
Middle Ages prevail in Cyprus, as far as the rights of LGBTQ people are concerned. This came about, yesterday, during a debate in the Committee on Legal Affairs, where the criminalisation of conversion therapies to LGBTQ people aimed at changing people's sexual orientation and/or gender identity and/or gender expression was considered. As reported, LGBTQ people have undergone psychotherapies, hormone therapies, and even exorcisms. The issue was examined on the occasion of the law proposal submitted by the member of parliament of AKEL, George Koukoumas, providing for imprisonment of up to three years for offenders.
In particular, during the session, complaints were heard about psychologists and psychotherapists, priests, alternative therapists, who are proceeding with conversion therapies. It has been said that priests lead LGBTQ people to hormone therapies or other kinds of treatments and that in some cases the pressure exerted has even led people to suicide attempts. Complaints have also been reported about parents sending their children to psychiatrists, who ask them to change their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Members of the Committee on Legal Affairs have spoken of 'terrible allegations' and 'disgraceful acts', which must be dealt with immediately and decisions taken. The need to pass this legislation was also stressed.
