Lesbian nurse drugged and tortured for 12 years – for being gay.

Joan Bellingham was training to be a nurse when she was admitted to a psychiatric ward for being a lesbian. (Photo: 1 News)

A New Zealand nurse who was repeatedly hospitalised for 12 years and given electroconvulsive therapy more than 200 times has said her fight for justice has been “almost as bad as the abuse”.

Joan Bellingham shared her horrific experiences as part of…