A measure that would prohibit so-called conversion therapy was recently presented in the Sonoran Congress.
If approved, those who attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender expression of others in Sonora could face years in prison and steep fines. Among many other motives for the reform, the initiativepoints to a 2015 United Nations declaration that such practices are unethical, ineffective and can amount to torture.
Eleven Mexican states have already banned them.
Erica Salinas, a member of a broad Sonoran LGBTQ coalition that has been pushing for this and other reforms, said that the initiative’s presentation last week shows that leaders are listening to the demands of organized civil society. Salinas, who personally experienced conversion therapy and said they can have “deadly consequences” for those subjected to them, is hopeful that the measure will be successful during the next ordinary congressional session, which begins in September.
“We think they’re going to do the right thing,” she said.
A recent national surveyfound that the vast majority of Mexican parents were supportive of their LGBTQ children when they came out, but some did force their kids to seek help in changing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
