The social venture dedicated to organizing campaigns, Change.org, most recent issue on its home page demands the Ecuadorean Minister of Health David Chiriboga to close over 200 ex-gay clinics that continue to operate in democratic republic in South America.
The online petition is called “Close fake “clinics” that torture LGBT in or to “cure” them”, and has accumulated close to 83,000 signatures. The campaign goes on to emphasize in this calendar year over 30 “ex-gay clinics” were closed but there are still a large number of them that remain in operations, according to the petition.
The campaign goes on to explain that these clinics are authorized to enforce harsh methods of abuse, and torture as a way to remedy homosexuality. Furthermore, testimonies for patients who escaped these clinics report physical and psychological abuse that were verbal threats to the point of even sexually abusing the patients.
Paula Ziritti, 24-years-old, testified that her ex-gay clinic during the two years she was there, for three months Ziritti was shackled in handcuffs and thrown water or urine by the guards.
The Advocate.com report illustrated the importance of Ziritti’s testimony because since filing a complaint against the clinic that quote on quote “tortured” and “humiliated her” was closed as a result.
The predominant religion in the South American country is Roman Catholic and at times conservative vis-à-vis homosexuality. Certainly this recent campaign initiative has gained significant support and attraction because of the controversial information that was exposed publicly.
Our societies are becoming increasingly more aware and connected in light of these issues. The technological breakthroughs are not just about getting the news out there, but rallying large support to influence change.
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