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Nefes, a LGBT Alliance representing sexual minorities in Azerbaijan, complains of the Ministry of Education of the country because of gross mistakes in the topic ‘On Homosexuality’ in the discipline ‘Psychology of family’ taught at the Psychology Faculty of the Azerbaijan Teachers’ Institute, according to Minval.az.

According to the report, in the textbook approved by Azerbaijan Ministry of Education and published in 2015, homosexuality is referred to as a sexual disorder, a pathology. It is listed among pathologies like zoophilia, paedophilia, necrophilia and others. According to the book, the homosexuals are mentally ill people.

Minval.az reports that Nefes LGBT Alliance sent an inquiry to the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan on 17 December 2015 to find out how the Ministry has officially registered homosexuality. Based on the response, Nefes says the textbook published by the Education Ministry directly contradicts the Constitution and the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. According to the information, homosexuality is not classified as a disease either by the World Health Organisation, or by the Health Ministry of Azerbaijan. 

Therefore, Nefes Alliance demands a serious investigation into the issue. It holds that the author should admit the mistake in the book and provide a refutation, while the book should be withdrawn from sale and cease to be used.

In January 2014, the leader of an Azerbaijani gay rights group, Isa Shakhmarli, committed suicide in Azerbaijan. He was discovered dead after reportedly hanging himself using the rainbow-coloured flag. Prior to his death, Shakhmarli said in an interview that LGBT Azerbaijan people struggle because it is a homophobic country and many cannot find a job. This means 90% are forced to remain closeted. 

There have been many cases of expression of hatred and intolerance towards the LGBT community in the country. In 2014, a 19-year-old young man could not endure discrimination from family and others and committed suicide. In another case, a 17-year-old young man was brutally raped by eight persons who filmed it on video, and then extorted money from the victim. The young man could not get the required amount of money, and the video was delivered to his family. Parents beat him. Nothing more was known about his fate.