![\"father-hugo-valdemar\"](\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Father-Hugo-Valdemar.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFather Hugo Valdemar, the spokesperson of Mexico<\/a>’s Catholic church<\/a> has accused the country’s anti-discrimination watchdog, Conapred, of persecution.<\/span><\/p>\n Conapred has requested that clergy abstain from making comments following the constant attacks by Catholic organizations since Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto<\/a> submitted a proposal that would legalize same-sex<\/a> marriage nationwide.<\/span><\/p>\n Valdemar was responding to a Conapred statement which said that a series of rallies last week opposing same-sex<\/a> marriage were “absolutely discriminatory.” The cleric also attacked Conapred for taking a stance against an article in the Catholic outlet “Desde la Fe” entitled “No one is born gay<\/a>” which claimed that ex-gay Dr. Richard Cohen<\/a> of U.S.-based Positive Approaches To Healthy Sexuality has been successful in his use of conversion therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n According to <\/span>Telesur<\/b><\/a>, Valdemar said:<\/span><\/p>\n “There is persecution against the Church. <\/span><\/p>\n “It is something very serious, the state now determines the sexual behavior of citizens and forbids any attempt to return to normalcy…<\/span><\/p>\n “The state prohibits parents from helping their children to solve their sexual doubts and prohibits homosexuals from changing, but if they want to change their sex<\/a> they fund that atrocity, it’s something diabolic.”<\/span><\/p>\n Same-sex<\/a> marriage has been legalized in Mexico City and 9 of the nation’s 31 states. There are challenges in the 22 other states underway.<\/span><\/p>\n In Mexico, the Catholic Church is challenging the legalization of gay<\/a> marriage. t.co\/WFlld7ZhvB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vmfEtIVMT3<\/a><\/p>\n — PRI’s The World (@pritheworld) September 14, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Anti-gay<\/a> activists are planning a mega-rally this Saturday in Mexico City.<\/span><\/p>\n Below, watch a video<\/a> of a march in Celaya, Guanajuato, last weekend during which a 12-year-old boy<\/a> was photographed in the middle of the street trying to block the path of 11,000 demonstrators.<\/p>\n Young boy<\/a> protests crowd of thousands against gay<\/a> marriage in Mexico. #PowerOfOne<\/a> 💥 #loveislove<\/a> #justiceisjustice<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/iU3FBNQAto<\/a><\/p>\n — Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) September 14, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/p>\n (Image via Facebook<\/a>)<\/p>\n The post Catholic Church in Mexico Accuses Government of ‘Persecution’ Over Gay Rights<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\nRELATED: 12-Year-Old Mexican Boy Attempts to Block Thousands of Anti-Gay Protesters<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n
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