Rio protesters oppose tax-funded 'cure' for gays

[slay]

Hundreds of protesters descended on Rio de Janeiro's legislative assembly yesterday, revolted by state proposals offering to bankroll the psychological "conversion" of homosexuals.

The controversial plans, which suggest using public funds to treat the "illness", have already been approved by three committees despite widespread condemnation. The act will be voted on today by state deputies.

"This is not just an offence to gays but to all citizens who will not tolerate discrimination," said Claudio Nascimento, president of the gay rights group Arco-Iris (Rainbow). "Today it's us, but tomorrow who knows?" Nascimento was joined at the demonstration by all walks of Rio society. Further protests are expected.

Rio's evangelical politicians are the target of much of the demonstrators' wrath. Edino Fonseca, who drafted the plans in September 2003, is a member of the enormous Assembleia de Deus (God's Assembly) church.

more:
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=590837

[slay]

1. Renamed thread that was locked due to wrong title

Originally posted by akido15. Well worth correcting the title and re-posting.

[aikido15]

2. Thank you!

Thanks for reposting...I am so used to posting for the editor of the Liberal Daily Beacon where he asks that we summerize news articles and can make up our own titles...opps!

This story is about a worldwide epidemic of the evangelical movement, sickening and dangerous.

[central scrutinizer]

3. what will they think of next?

Forced psychological testing of schoolchildren without parental consent? Mandated psychotropic drugging if the child is found to be "deviant". Oh wait, my bad, somebody already thought of that.

[VegasWolf]

4. Isn't the Catholic Church the dominant religion there?

[Bridget Burke]

5. Yes, but Brazil's Evangelicals are behind this one.

(from the linked article)

Rio's evangelical politicians are the target of much of the demonstrators' wrath. Edino Fonseca, who drafted the plans in September 2003, is a member of the enormous Assembleia de Deus (God's Assembly) church.

Brazil's evangelicals have become immensely powerful in the past decade, setting up churches in many of the city's 600 slums. Evangelical politicians enjoy huge power in these poorer districts of Rio, often urging their electorates not to vote for other, "demonic" parties.

More liberal members of the city's political elite fear many of the evangelical rulers are seeking to impose draconian laws, starting with Rio's gay community.

We are not the only country so blessed.

[Duncan Grant]

6. A feverish little evangelical mind came up with this 'treatment'.

Is this a disturbing little article, or what? And at this moment there are Democrats arguing that we should reach out to evangelicals here in the U.S. -- we'll see that argument again and again as the election of the DNC chairman rolls around.

A similar program to 'treat' homosexuality exist in the U.S.; it's just not funded by the Federal Gov't (yet - sarcasm/). Brace yourself: http://www.exodus-international.org/news_2004_0304.shtml

[AndyTiedye]

7. Has This Monstrosity Been Voted On Yet?

The article said it was coming to a vote today.

[Duncan Grant]

8. My 'kick' of the day article.

:kick:

[HuckleB]

9. Sheesh.

The idiots need an enemy in order to make their lives meaningful, I guess. It doesn't get much sicker than this.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. They're a plague.

The fundies of course -- not the gays.

The brainwashed army will vote for a stuffed platypus if the "pastor" tells them to (got them the Governor's office, but thankfully not the Mayor's). They spew all the bullshit you are used to endure up there in the USA except the pro-war stuff.

That, and the fact they're still a significantly smaller fraction of the population, are their only redeeming qualities. Sorry if I seem blunt, but after hearing from one of them that "Catholics are not Christian" inside my house I haven't the slightest inclination to be diplomatic with them.

[Duncan Grant]

11. One final kick...

:kick: