The new law will punish with penalties of up to three years in prison and fines to those who carry them out. The measure has been approved 40 years after decriminalizing homosexuality in the country.
The Parliament of France has unanimously approved a bill to ban sexual “reorientation therapies,” which seek impose heterosexuality, and punish with sentences of up to three years in prison and fines to those who carry them out.
“These unworthy practices have no place in the Republic. Because being oneself is not a crime, because there is nothing to cure,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on his official Twitter profile, 40 years after the decriminalization of homosexuality in the country.
The measure, which has been approved with 142 votes in favor, the total of the French Upper House, contemplates sanctions of up to two years in prison and fines of 30,000 euros when the physical or mental health of the person on whom it acts is altered. .
In addition, the punishment will increase to three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros when acting on a minor or on a person over whom they have authority or who suffers from some deficiency.
This type of “reorientation therapy” usually consists of exorcism sessions, hospitalizations or electroshock sessions, a range of abuses that have lasting psychological and physical effects on the victims.
Other types of common practices are therapies based on religion and medication, frequently carried out by religious institutions, which include practices such as saying prayers and taking medication.
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