The Ombudsman has concluded its actions in the complaint about a possible breach, by the Bishopric of Alcalá de Henares, of Law 3/2016, of July 22, on Comprehensive Protection against LGTBIphobia, in relation to the alleged development of ‘Therapies to cure homosexuality’.
The Bishopric of Alcalá calls the investigation into illegal courses to ‘cure’ homosexuality an “operation to restrict the freedom of the Church”
Know more
This is stated in the report of this Institution, presented this Friday by the Ombudsman, Ángel Gabilondo, before the Congress of Deputies. The proceedings conclude after the response given by the Community Social Policy Council, which reported on this case that “it had not considered it possible to open a sanctioning procedure, in view of the fact that the main proof of the charge consisted of the call records, recordings, emails and documentation provided by a journalist, obtained without the consent of one of the interlocutors”.
However, the Ombudsman has indicated that in his report that “he continues to pay extreme attention to any indication of discrimination based on sexual orientation, as was the case in this case.”
In 2019 elDiario.es revealed that the bishopric of Alcalá held clandestine courses to ‘cure’ homosexuality. In an investigation carried out by this writing, the operation of these illegal therapies was detailed. Sources from the diocese of Reig Pla admitted that these courses, illegal according to the article 70 of the law against LGTBphobia of Madrid.
Sanctioning process open to a coach
The Community of Madrid opened a sanctioning process three years ago against Elena LR, a ‘coach’ who was denounced in 2016 for violating the Law against LGTBiphobia by offering therapies for the cure of homosexuality through the Internet.
The decision was agreed by the Regional Government Council, led by Pedro Rollán, after receiving a report from the Ministry of Social Policies that classifies it as a “very serious” infraction by virtue of the violation of article 70.4 of the regional regulations against LGTBfobia this case, which was denounced by groups of the sector after a journalistic information.
After a period of prior information opened by the then Ministry of Social and Family Policies and the subsequent complaint in 2017 by two individuals for the same events, the General Technical Secretariat of this department described this offer of therapies to cure homosexuality as an offense “very serious” and proceeded to initiate the sanctioning procedure against this person.
The sanction that would have to be faced ranges from 20,001 euros to 45,000 euros. However, shortly after the same Ministry concluded the investigation without sanction, as now indicated by the Ombudsman.
www.eldiario.es