‘Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are’, says Attorney General Michael Daley.
The NSW government has today banned “dangerous and damaging” LGBTQ+ conversion practices from being performed in the state.
Conversion therapies or practices are “based on the false ideology that LGBTQ+ people have a ‘disorder’ or require treatment”, the government said in a statement.
Practices listed in the ban include “psychological or medical interventions, counselling, or subtle and repeated messages that LGBTQ+ people can change or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity with faith or effort”.
Individuals who deliver or perform such therapies will face up to five years’ jail under the Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024, while anyone caught taking someone interstate for the purposes of delivering or receiving conversion therapy could spend as long as three years behind bars.
The ban does not extend to the general teaching or expression of religious principles, or parents having religion-oriented discussions around sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual activity with their children.
NSW health minister Ryan Park thanked the many individuals and groups who had worked with the government to turn the ban into reality.
“These sorts of practices are incredibly harmful and dangerous, and they have severe and lasting health impacts,” he said.
“Today, we’re bringing an end to them.”
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Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown OAM said the law sends a clear message that LGBTQ+ individuals are “whole and valid” and would save “countless people from a lifetime of pain”.
“Abuse dressed up as pastoral care or guidance is a breach of trust and power. Telling someone they are broken or sick because of who they are is profoundly psychologically damaging.”
The ban comes after last year saw NSW Premier Chris Minns make a formal apology to individuals who had previously been convicted under past laws that criminalised homosexual acts, and the state government pass new legislation that allowed previous offenses relating to these laws to be extinguished.
If you or someone you know has been subjected to or seen a conversion practice, you can confidentially register a civil complaint with Anti-Discrimination NSW by calling 1800 670 812 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) or by emailing complaintsabd@justice.nsw.gov.au.