Conversion Therapy
ACT passes ban on harmful ‘conversion therapy’
The Australian Capital Territory has passed a bill to ban harmful LGBT “conversion therapy” across the territory. The bill defines sexuality or gender identity conversion practices as “a treatment or other practice… the purported purpose of which is to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity”. From early next year, anyone using the practices would …
Queensland conversion therapy ban slammed as ‘ineffective’
LGBTIQ advocates have panned Queensland’s laws criminalising harmful LGBTIQ “conversion therapy” for not going far enough. Last week, the Queensland government passed a bill banning health service providers from “attempting to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.” Providers found using the outlawed “conversion” methods would face penalties of up to 18 …
Queensland passes ban on ‘conversion therapy’
The Queensland government has passed legislation banning health providers from using so-called “conversion therapy” on LGBTIQ Queenslanders. Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said the legislation, passed on Thursday afternoon, was the first of its kind in Australia targeting the “harmful, deceptive and unethical” practices. “No treatment or practice can change a person’s sexual …
Queensland government set to pass ban on ‘conversion therapy’
The Queensland government is expected to pass a Bill outlawing harmful LGBT “conversion therapy” this week. The legislation will stop health service providers using therapies that attempt to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Those providers who use such methods on gay or transgender Queenslanders would face penalties of up to …
South Australian push for state ban on conversion therapy
South Australia’s Labor opposition is working on a bill that would outlaw harmful LGBTIQ “conversion therapy” in the state. Debunked “conversion” therapy practices involve attempting to change, alter or suppress sexual orientation or gender identity using psychological or spiritual means. South Australia’s Shadow Human Services Minister Nat Cook (pictured) is drafting legislation to outlaw the …
New study to support Australian ‘conversion therapy’ survivors
A new study led by a La Trobe University academic will investigate the impact of harmful LGBT “conversion therapy” in Australia. Dr Timothy Jones from the university will head a team researching how to better help survivors of the discredited practices. “Previous research has shown that attempts to change the sexual and gender orientation of …
Australian medical students take a stand against ‘conversion therapy’
The peak body representing thousands of Australian medical students has backed a ban on harmful so-called “gay conversion therapy”. In 2018, survivors of the “conversion” movement and allies penned the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (SOGICE) Survivor Statement. It calls on Australia to end the “conversion” movement by not only banning it, but …
Former ‘conversion therapy’ pastor charged with child sex abuse
NSW Police have charged former Sydney pastor and “conversion therapy” leader Ron Brookman with the alleged indecent assault of a 13-year-old in the 1980s. The 70-year-old is accused of the indecent assault of a person under 16 years of age while in his care. He allegedly “kissed and rubbed his groin against” the boy while …
SNL star Bowen Yang went to ‘conversion therapy’ as a teenager
Comedian and Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang has recalled his experience with so-called “conversion therapy” as a teenager striving to make his parents happy. The 29-year-old was born in Brisbane before the family moved to Canada and settled in the US state of Colorado. After 12 months as a writer on SNL, Yang became …
Religious groups slam Queensland conversion therapy ban
Religious organisations have slammed the Queensland government’s proposed legislation to criminalise harmful “conversion therapy” in the state. Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles introduced the bill in November to ban practices “attempting to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.” Penalties would include fines and up to 12 months jail. However, Christian Schools …