Ecuador to Shut Down “Ex-Gay” Torture Clinics

Ecuador's government announced this week that it would shut down clinics that were torturing and abusing people with promises to "cure" them of homosexuality.

AllOut.org co-founder Andre Bank credited "courageous LGBT and women's rights activists in Ecuador, and supporters around the world who helped elevate this national scandal to global prominence." AllOut and Change.org circulated petitions with a combined 178,000 signatures, demanding an end to so-called "ex-gay" clinical programs.

Earlier this week, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa appointed out lesbian and LGBT rights activist Carina Vance Mafla as the new Health Minister.