Ecuador Ministry of Health Investigates and Closes Ex- Gay Torture Clinics

How We Won

Jan 23, 2012

After international outcry from over 100,000 people across the world, the beginning of the end is here.  The end of women suffering physical and emotional abuse including sexual assault and torture in Ecuadorian clinics trying to cure them of being lesbian.  

Fundacion Causana, a human rights group in Quito, Ecuador has been working on behalf of countless women being help against their will in hundreds of these underground clinics.  After ten years of campaigning, Fundacion Causana started a campaign on Change.org calling on the Ministry of Health to take action.  

After over 100,000 people around the world signed the petition on Change.org, the Ministry of Health was ready to meet with Fundacion Causana and take responsibility for the violence against LGBT.  Now the Ecuadorian government is working hand in hand with Fundacion Causana to eradicate these clinics from Ecuador, free the women trapped inside, and launch a national public awareness campaign to fight homophobia.  

“After ten years of outcry, the nation of Ecuador- through the Ministry of Public Health- has entered into a commitment with civic organizations and society in general to deconstruct the belief that homosexuality is an illness and root our the use of torture in these clinics.  We extend our thanks to all the men and women who signed our petition.  It has been invaluable to have this support in starting to change this reality.” - Fundacion Causana

** See below for Spanish translation

Although over 30 “ex- gay clinics” have been closed this year, hundreds still remain open.  These clinics which claim to “cure” homosexuality have decreased in popularity in recent years yet still remain a horrific reality for many.  Escaping patients report cases of physical and psychological abuse including verbal threats, shackling, days without food, sexual abuse, and physical torture.  Paula Ziritti, 24, spent two years in one such facility and for three months was shackled in handcuffs while guards threw water and urine on her.  She describes numerous accounts of physical and sexual abuse.  Ziritti says, “The closure of the first clinics by the government is good, but not good enough. Why is the clinic where I suffered still open?”

Since Zirittu’s public disclosure, many others have been inspired to step forward and file formal complaints against these treatment centers.  Please join Fundacion Causana and a coalition of other Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender groups in calling on Ecuador’s Minister of Health to immediately investigate and close the 200 “ex- gay clinics” that still remain open despite public support for their closing and reported accounts of torture and abuse.  

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/10/07/Lesbians_Escape_From_Ecuadors_ExGay_Torture_Centers/

De mi consideración:

Acabo de firmar la siguiente petición dirigida al: Ministro de Salud de Ecuador.

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Únanse a las acciones que la Fundación Causana, el Taller de Comunicación Mujer y Artikulación Esporádika están llevando a cabo para presionar al Ministro de Salud de Ecuador y a la Fiscalía que investigue y cierre inmediatamente las clínicas de rehabilitación que todavía siguen abiertas a pesar del apoyo público a su cierre y de las historias informadas acerca de torturas y abusos. Ecuador es el hogar de más de 200 clínicas para lesbianas y gays que matan de hambre, abusan y torturan a los pacientes en un esfuerzo por volverlos heterosexuales.

A pesar de que este año se cerraron más de 30 “clínicas”, todavía permanecen abiertas cientos de ellas. Estas clínicas que proclaman que “curan” la homosexualidad disminuyeron su popularidad en años recientes, pero todavía siguen siendo una realidad horrorosa para muchos. Los pacientes que escapan informan casos de abuso físico y psicológico que incluye amenazas verbales, encadenamientos, días sin comida, abuso sexual y tortura física. Paola Ziritt, 24, pasó dos años en una de esas instalaciones y estuvo encadenada durante tres meses con esposas mientras que los guardias le tiraban agua y le orinaban encima. Ella describe numerosas historias de abuso físico y sexual. Ziritt agrega: “El cierre de las primeras clínicas por parte del gobierno es bueno, pero no lo suficientemente bueno. ¿Por qué todavía está abierta la clínica donde sufrí?”

Desde la revelación pública de Ziritt, muchos otros se inspiraron para dar un paso al frente y presentar demandas formales contra estos centros de tratamiento. Por favor, únete a los grupos de activistas ecuatorianas para apelar al Ministro de Salud ecuatoriano inicie una investigación seria acerca de la degradación y

abusos ilegales y que cierre todas estas clínicas.

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