Conversion therapy: Can being gay be reversed? – The Star Kenya
INTENTIONAL VIOLENCE
Karisa*, a Muslim, had his family call an Imam to intervene when he revealed his sexual orientation.
“They threatened me with Suras from the Holy Quran, and on the fifth day, they gathered three Imams and some other family members. Then I was placed at the centre of the meeting, with some incense burning and reciting some Quran Suras,” he said.
“The Imam held my left hand and placed my middle finger in between two pieces of wood and started pressing and reciting the Quran. The other imam was telling me to proclaim that I give up homosexuality and I am back to being a complete man over seven times.”
Due to the pain he was in, Karisa had to admit it even though it was not true.
For Hellen*, even police officers were involved in trying to convert her.
“For six months, I was taken to the police station for beatings, about twice a week. The beating was always followed by a written confession that I would change,” she said.
After some time, her family realised she had not changed, so they arranged for her to get married.
“That’s when I ran away,” Hellen said.
GALCK+ said some therapies also consist of unethical physical and medical treatments, such as the administration of drugs and hormones.
“Survivors of these practices describe long-lasting negative effects on their mental health, family relations, economic stability and general well-being,” they said.
Hellen said conversion therapy is a death wish and it does more harm than good.
“It doesn’t change you, it makes you hate yourself. You constantly feel like you are not normal. No one should go through that regardless of the circumstances,” she said.
By their very nature, GALCK+ said, such therapies are degrading, some a violation of human rights and may constitute a criminal act under Kenyan law.
“Many of the practices we documented in our report violate the rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals to bodily autonomy, health and freedom of expression of one’s sexual orientation and gender identity,” they said.
“They may constitute inhuman, cruel and degrading treatment or torture, according to international human rights law.”