Panaji, Jan 13: In a controversial move, the Goa government is planning centres to “cure” homosexuals and make them “normal”, a minister, Ramesh Tawadkar, has said in comments that have been received with outrage and disbelief.
“We will make LGBT (Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) youth normal. We will have a centre for them…like Alcoholics Anonymous centres. We will train them and give them medicines too,” said Mr Tawadkar, who is Sports and Youth minister in the state’s BJP-led government.
The minister was elaborating what is part of the government’s policy report on youth. The document lists LGBT community among stigmatised groups that need focused attention.
“As in the case of other target groups such as juvenile offenders, drug afflicted youth, marginalised or migrant youth, geographically disadvantaged youth, a detailed survey would be carried out of the LGBT community so that their problems could be specifically addressed,” he said
