"Conversion therapies" are not therapies, nor do they "convert" anyone.
In reality, these practices are torture. They use violence and abuse to try to "change" people so they stop being LGBT+, and they still occur far more often than we think.
That’s why, after nearly 50,000 people from the global All Out community signed a petition, the "Inconvertibles" bill (Spanish for "non-convertibles") was introduced in Colombia to stop these "therapies."
Now, we need to put pressure on the government to approve this law. Sign the petition to demand that the Colombian government pass the "Inconvertibles" bill and ban these harmful practices once and for all!
If you want to learn more about what "conversion therapies" are and why they should be banned, keep reading!
October 5, 2021
Campaign launch and "Inconvertibles" Report
All Out partnered with Revista Volcánicas to investigate the reality of "conversion therapies" in Colombia. The result is a report that includes ten powerful stories from people who underwent these types of “therapy,” detailing their experiences to highlight the severity of these practices. It also includes topic experts who propose ways to ban or legislate against them.
These testimonies are sufficient proof that unless the Colombian government takes action and puts an end to these practices, LGBT+ people will continue to suffer violent situations.
May 10, 2022
VICTORY! The "Inconvertibles" Bill is introduced
Colombian Congressman Mauricio Toro introduced the "Inconvertibles" bill today, which seeks to ban so-called "conversion therapies" in Colombia.
November 3, 2022
The "Inconvertibles" Bill is revived and introduced for the second time
After a homophobic attack prevented the "Inconvertibles" bill from having its first debate, it was reintroduced by Representative Carolina Giraldo Botero.
June 13, 2023
SECOND VICTORY! "Inconvertibles" passes its first debate
The bill survived its first debate despite attempts to archive it. This means it will move on to the next round of debates. Additionally, we published the second part of the "Inconvertibles" report with compelling statistics on violence against LGBT+ people in Colombia.
March 20, 2024
Another victory! "Inconvertibles" passes its second debate
With 98 votes in favor and 18 against, the "Inconvertibles" bill was approved in the plenary session of the House of Representatives, allowing it to move on to the Senate where it will need to be debated on in two sessions.
May 28, 2024
Submission of over 40,000 signatures in support of the "Inconvertibles" Bill
After months of campaigning, we delivered over 40,000 signatures to the Congress of the Republic to support the end of "conversion therapies." Thanks to this support, the Senate decided to schedule the third debate to turn this bill into law. And you, with your signature, were there! However, after several hold-ups, there was not enough time to vote it and the bill was archived.
July 20, 2024
Because there is nothing to cure:
Being an LGBT+ person is not something to be cured, but simply a part of whom a person is. These practices are based on the outdated notion – already rejected by medicine and health sciences – that being LGBT+ is a disease that needs to be cured. Even though being LGBT+ was removed from the list of diseases many years ago, many LGBT+ people still have to endure the physical and mental suffering from attempts to "convert" them.
Because they are torture:
Many of these practices involve using degrading and violent "techniques" against LGBT+ people. They range from prohibiting individuals from having contact with friends and family to severe physical abuses like electroshock therapy and forced exorcisms. These "therapies" are a clear violation of human rights. Even global organizations like the United Nations have concluded that so-called “conversion therapies” can amount to torture.
