LGBT rights in South Africa

==Conversion therapy==
[[Conversion therapy]] has a negative effect on the lives of LGBT people, and can lead to low self-esteem, depression and suicidal ideation. The South African Society of Psychiatrists states that "there is no scientific evidence that reparative or conversion therapy is effective in changing a person's sexual orientation. There is, however, evidence that this type of therapy can be destructive".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sasop.co.za/Statements/Homosexuality_State |title=POSITION STATEMENTS HOMOSEXUALITY - POSITION STATEMENT |access-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420080900/https://www.sasop.co.za/Statements/Homosexuality_State |archive-date=20 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Despite this, conversion therapy is believed to be performed in the country. In February 2015, owners of a conversion therapy camp were found guilty of murder, child abuse and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm after three teens were found dead at the camp. The teens, reportedly, were punched, beaten with spades and rubber pipes, chained to their beds, not allowed to use the toilets at any time and were forced to eat soap and their own [[feces]], all with the aim of "curing" their homosexuality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2015/02/gay-cure-camp-in-south-africa-guilty-of-murdering-teen/|title=Gay "cure" camp in South Africa guilty of murdering teen - Metro Weekly|website=www.metroweekly.com|access-date=13 July 2017|date=2015-02-27}}</ref> The three teens were between 15 and 19 years old.

During apartheid, Dr. [[Aubrey Levin]] led [[The Aversion Project]], a medical torture programme designed to identify gay soldiers and forcedly "cure" their homosexuality. This included forced castration and [[Electroconvulsive therapy|shock therapy]]. ''Vir Ander'' ("For Others" in [[Afrikaans]], also a pun of the word "Verander" meaning "Change") premiered on 2 September 2017 at the South African State Theatre. The play is based on true events, where young [[Afrikaners|Afrikaner]] men were subjected to conversion therapies. It deals with manhood, sexuality and acceptance, and shines a light on the horrors and atrocities of the practice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=42583|title=Artslink.co.za - 'Vir.Ander' play premieres at State Theatre|website=Artslink}}</ref>