13 Reasons Why actor responds to homophobic conversion therapy ruling in Brazil
Out gay actor Tommy Dorfman has responded to a recent homophobic ruling in Brazil.
The 13 Reasons Why star – who plays Ryan Shaver on the show – collaborated with illustrator Paul Tuller to oppose a Brazilian court ruling legalising so-called conversion therapy.
The proceeds of the T-shirt fundraising campaign will go to Grupo Gay de Bahia (GGB), a nonprofit LGBT+ organisation based in Sao Paolo.
The T-shirts display the message ‘Cura Gay’, which means ‘Gay Cure’ – and the ‘cura’ on the shirt is crossed out, to say that homosexuality is not something that can/needs to be ‘cured’.
Dorfman said: “When I heard the news of [Brazilian judge] Waldemar de Carvalho issuing a ruling to approve gay conversion therapy in Brazil, after it was banned for nearly 20 years, my heart broke.
“So many of my fans and supporters live in Brazil, and it pains me to see them not feel legitimised for who they are and who they are attracted to.”
Paul Tuller previously designed a shirt to support LGBT+ people in Chechnya, and Dorfman reached out to him to help him with the project because he felt “an instant calling to do something.”
“This idea that you can ‘cure’ homosexuality is appalling and simply not true,” Dorfman told The Advocate.
“There is no Cura Gay, there’s just gay. Or not. Or however you identify, and nobody should have say over something so personal and inherent.
“I hope this shirt resonates with people and we’re able to raise a s*** ton of money for the GGB to resist this ruling.”
Dorfman has also been an outspoken LGBT+ advocate, speaking openly about LGBT+ representation in media and why it’s important.
“LGBTQIA inclusion in media, especially TV and film, is not just important, it’s essential,” he said.
“It would be reductive and unrealistic to exclude us from the narrative.
“We exist, and our truthful portrayals in TV and film bring life to the stories being told, as well as educate, inspire, and validate viewers.”
The ‘No Gay Cure’ T-shirts are available to buy here.
