Hong Kong Hires Psychiatrist Who Claims He Can 'Cure' Gays

Yesterday, gay activists protested the decision by officials in Hong Kong's Social Welfare Department to hire a psychiatrist who claims he can "cure" homosexuality.

Hong Kwai-wah is chairman of the group New Creation Association, who, according to its website, "help people who have experienced distress owing to unwanted 'Same sex attractions', resolving their psychological self-contradiction of the mind, restoring their sexual wholeness and appreciating their gender identity given by God, thereby leading an abundant life."

New Creation Association, which has been around since 2002, charges many thousands of dollars for its bogus "services." One man paid over $100,000(HK) for sessions with the group before eventually deciding to quit.

The AFP reports that "the move (by the Hong Kong government) could be the world's first government-sponsored training session on gay conversion therapy."

"The government seems to think that homosexuals are possessed by evil spirits and needed to be 'cleansed' or 'cured' through conversion therapy," Joseph Cho, a spokesman for gay rights group Rainbow Action, told reporters during a protest outside the city's Social Welfare Department Friday. "They are criminalising people with same sex orientation -- this is an international joke," he added. Psychiatrist Hong Kwai-wah, who specialises in "treating unwanted homosexuality," gave a two-and-a-half hour talk to staff at the former British colony's social welfare office on Friday.

Hong Kong officials defended their decision to hire Hong Kwai-wah because, according to them, "knowledge from multiple perspectives was essential for social workers to make professional and independent assessment on their cases and to address specific needs of service users."

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25,000 Turn Out for Seventh Gay Pride in Taipei

Taipei, Taiwan, held its seventh annual Gay Pride on Saturday and 25,000 people showed up, Agence France Presse reports:

"Rainbow flags, balloons and placards were in abundance as participants gathered in a square outside the presidential office, with dress varying from period costumes to swimming trunks.' I hope the government will not only legalise same-sex unions but also allow us to adopt children,' said Nancy Chen, who pushed a stroller to highlight her call. But Chen admitted that 'it would take a few more years' for the general public to accept the idea before the legislation process can begin.' Even though Taiwan is becoming more open-minded towards gays, many still think that gay people can have romantic relationships but not something as serious as starting families,' she said. Taiwan's cabinet in 2003 drafted a controversial bill to legalise same-sex marriages and recognise the rights of homosexual couples to adopt children, the first in Asia to do so. However, the law has yet to be passed and some gay groups have criticised the bill as a ploy to woo voters."

About 1,000 turned out in Hong Kong for Gay Pride over the weekend as well.

Amnesty International Points Out Gay Discrimination in Hong Kong

The above image is from a set of PSAs by Amnesty International in Hong Kong highlighting the persecution and discrimination felt by gay people there.

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