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UN rights agencies, experts urge de-pathologization of LGBT people

Xinhua, May 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, as well as other rights organizations and experts on Thursday, called for an abrupt end to pathologizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) adults and children.

Speaking ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17, the related UN and international agencies and rights experts issued a statement Thursday urging governments worldwide to reform medical classifications and to adopt measures to prevent all forms of forced treatments and procedures on LGBT persons.

"Pathologizing LGBT adults and children, branding them as ill based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, has historically been and continues to be one of the root causes behind the human rights violations that they face," the statement noted.

It is also an obstacle to overcoming negative attitudes, stereotypes, and the multiple barriers for the realization of LGBT people' s most fundamental human rights, the statement added.

According to the statement, branding LGBT people as ill is also linked to sexual violence and has a severe impact on their mental and physical health and well-being, including higher rates of suicide, depression and self-harm.

"Being lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans is part of the rich diversity of human nature. We are deeply concerned that transgender children and adults continue to be pathologized based on international and national medical classifications," the statement stressed. Endit