When Erika Venadero was 15 years old, she attended a retreat that she thought would bring her closer to God. But instead she found herself held captive, deprived of food, and then raped by men who told her she should be thankful because now she was “a real woman”.

‘ECOSIG’ is an acronym used by LGBTIQ rights activists in Mexico to describe various activities to ‘correct’ sexual orientation or gender identity – from religious retreats like the one Venadero attended, to mental health workers that promote conversion therapy, to fathers bringing sons suspected to be queer to sex workers, or teachers pushing gender non-conforming teenagers to follow expected gender roles.

This term therefore refers to any activity to ‘correct’ queerness and it doesn’t necessarily imply religion or therapy. These activities are diverse and have long histories in Latin America but LGBTIQ rights campaigners say they’re experiencing a resurgence amidst increasingly visible lobbying by ultra-conservative and religious groups and close links between the current government and the evangelical church.

Some survivors of ECOSIG practices are now pushing to end these practices, including through new legislation – though they face organised opposition to their campaigns. Mexican law does not currently ban conversion therapy activities – but that is the case in most countries around the world, according to a new report released this week by the LGBTIQ rights organisation OutRight International.