Gay students welcome only if they let academy 'cure' them

A CHRISTIAN training centre has been slammed for claiming it can "cure" its homosexual students.

Creare Training Centre, an arts and drama academy in Bloemfontein, says in its prospectus that it is able to change a student's sexual orientation.

The private academy charges R3000 a month in fees and began enrolling students this week.

But activists have described the academy's claim of being able to change homosexuals into heterosexuals - and referring to it as "rehabilitation" - as tragic, shameful and deeply hurtful.

However, Creare founder and church pastor Cornelis van Heyningen denied that his academy discriminated against homosexuals.

"We are catering for those who say 'I want to change as a homosexual'. That's not saying no homosexuals are allowed," he said.

"A lot of homosexuals come here because of the arts ... [But] if you want to change, then this place is for you where you can change. It's like rehabilitation for drugs."

But the academy's prospectus states that homosexual students not willing to change are not welcome.

It states: "According to the statement of faith in the constitution of Creare Training Centre, we believe in the principle of a relationship fundamental to personal sexual orientation being founded on that of heterosexuality.

"Therefore, any person wanting to pursue a lifestyle contrary and is not willing to be disciplined in this regard will not be permitted to continue further studies or lectures. We offer ministry to help people that want to change their sexual orientation [from] homosexuality and lesbianism to heterosexuality."

Dawie Nel, director of the gay and lesbian rights organisation OUT, said this was unconstitutional.

"Their comments fuel violent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people, such as the rape of gays and lesbians to 'cure them' or even murders being committed," he said.

"All credible medical and psychiatric councils and societies across the world have condemned conversion therapy and it does not work."

Gay rights activist Zackie Achmat said the academy's exclusion of homosexuals was unlawful.

"It's tragic and shameful that people in the 21st century, especially religious people who proclaim to love their neighbours as themselves, would exclude people on the basis of their sexual orientation. Institutions that provide a public service cannot exclude people on the basis of sexual orientation ... it's unlawful in terms of the constitution."

Constitutional law expert Pierre de Vos described the academy's claims as an attack on human dignity.

"The claim that they would change a person's sexual orientation is deeply hurtful to gay men and lesbians and attacks their human dignity, which is ethically obnoxious," he said.

De Vos added that the academy's actions were unlawful in terms of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2006. The act prohibits both private and public unfair discrimination on any grounds, including sexual orientation.

"They could be challenged in terms of the equality act and ordered to change their policy."

SA Human Rights Commission spokesman Isaac Mangena said it appeared the exclusion of homosexual people by Creare was constitutionally "impermissible, given that it discriminates against homosexuality".