FILE - In this July 31, 2014 file photo, gay rights campaigners act out electric shock treatment to protest outside a court when the first court case in China involving so-called conversion therapy is held in Beijing, China. In its relatively narrow ruling, the court did not weigh in on the practice of gay conversion therapy or account for Yu’s sexual orientation. China removed homosexuality from its list of recognized mental illnesses more than 15 years ago, but stories are rife of families admitting their relatives for conversion therapy. Gay rights activists say the case marks the first victory against a public mental institution for compulsory therapy against a patient’s will. “It’s time for China to enact laws to prohibit forced gay conversion therapy.”The Zhumadian mental hospital did not immediately provide comment when reached by phone.

Source: Washington Post July 04, 2017 03:40 UTC