Russia offers 'cures' for homosexuality

According to BBC Russia, 'cures' are being offered to gay men who are being persecuted in Chechnya. Russia removed homosexuality from its list of psychiatric disorders in 1999, but widespread homophobia is common in the republic. Psychotherapist Yan Goland spoke with BBC and claimed to have "cured" 78 gay men and eight transsexual men with treatment like hypnotherapy. "I tell them: 'when you leave the session, walk down the street and take a look at all the young woman you see, take an interest in their figures and select the best.'" Yan Goland to BBC This past Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged him to "use his influence" to put an end to the torture and killing of gay men in Chechnya.