Up to 6 years in prison

Mexico: imprisonment for “curing” queer people

Those who finance or force such treatments are also to be punished.(Bild: pixel-shot.com (Leonid Yastremskiy), stock.adobe.com)

After many years of efforts by activists, Mexico has banned so-called sexual conversion therapies. The Senate passed a law reform on Friday (local time) that provides for two to six years' imprisonment for carrying out practices aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of another person.

"Conversion therapies" are understood to be various practices for the alleged cure of homosexuality and transsexuality, among other things. According to UN experts and human rights activists, these practices often cause serious physical and psychological harm to those affected.

Beatings, isolation and other abuse
The methods include forced medication, beatings, isolation and other ill-treatment, which activists equate with torture.

Those who finance or force such treatment are also to be punished, as the Senate announced after the vote. The highest penalties are envisaged if minors are affected by the treatment. If the parents were involved, a judge would decide on the penalties.