Gscene News Archive

Last weekend, April (25), two religious organisations (Anglican Mainstream and CARE) organised a two-day conference entitled Sex and the City, Redeeming Sex Today. The conference is viewed as highly homophobic by many LGBT activists.

This was the second conference in the UK to bring together counsellors, youth workers, religious activists and mental health professionals who are interested in the therapeutic practice of repairing the so called 'brokenness' of the LGBT community. Their therapy aims to cure people and lead them to live a heterosexual lifestyle; it is highly controversial and is condemned as dangerous and unethical by most mental health and counselling organisations.

Over a hundred protestors held a peaceful and dignified protest outside The Emanuel Centre in London. The protest itself was carried out with humour and light-hearted banter. Songs of protest were sung and placards waved with slogans such as 'love needs no cure' and 'gay is not sick'.

Although there was certainly a lack of presence from LGBT mainstream organisations the individuals present certainly made a powerful and considered impact. Gay rights activists such as Jimmy Somerville and members of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were there to show support.

The protestors at this conference and the other dissident voices who speak out publicly against reparative and other pseudo psychological therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation, should be acknowledged for their commitment to maintaining the human rights of the LGBT communities. By raising awareness, they make a valuable contribution to the argument against such interventions and in doing so may protect some individuals from therapists who offer such therapies.

Filed by Andrew Hanuman