Open Democracy is an international investigative news-gathering effort which describes itself as practicing "free thinking for the world." Recently it sponsored an investigation into which international aid groups were funding so-called "conversion therapy" in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, all countries where homophobia is government policy.
‘Conversion therapy’ describes a range of practices – from talk therapy to physical ‘treatments’ – that attempt to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. It has been condemned by more than 60 associations of doctors, psychologists and counsellors globally.
Reporters found that the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a major funder of initiatives which use these practices. USAID responded to inquiries by saying it would look into the situation, but PEPFAR did not respond to questions.
Here a young feminist reporter shares her horror at what she discovered was going on in her home region.
Open Democracy's petition to the US government to stop this complicity in abuse seems one worth signing.
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