Conversion Therapy
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 …
Germany unveils draft law to ban gay conversion therapy
Germany’s Health Minister has unveiled a draft law to ban so-called “gay conversion therapy” on children under 18. “Conversion therapy” refers to debunked and harmful practices to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or transgender identity, using psychological or spiritual means. Germany’s draft bill would punish those carrying out conversion therapy on under-18s, or …
ACT Government pledges ban on ‘gay conversion therapy’
The Australian Capital Territory’s Chief Minister has announced his government plans to ban “gay conversion therapy”. “Conversion therapy” refers to debunked and dangerous practices to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or transgender identity, using psychological or spiritual means. The announcement is part of the ACT’s new “action plan” for the territory’s LGBTIQ community. …
New Zealand parliament criticised for delaying ‘conversion therapy’ ban
The New Zealand parliament has been criticised for delaying a ban on dangerous “gay conversion therapy” over “religious freedom” fears. “Conversion therapy” refers to harmful and debunked practices to change or suppress sexual orientation or gender identity, using psychological or spiritual means. Over 20,000 people signed petitions calling on the New Zealand government to ban …
Another ‘conversion therapy’ leader comes out as gay
Another former leader in the discredited “gay conversion therapy” movement has come out as gay and apologised. Twenty years ago, McKrae Game founded South Carolina-based organisation Hope for Wholeness to fix so-called “sexual brokenness”. “Gay conversion” or “ex-gay” therapy describes the discredited practice of trying to change sexual orientation using psychological or spiritual means. But …
Australian booksellers petitioned to pull ‘conversion therapy’ titles
Equality Australia have launched a petition calling on Australian booksellers to remove titles promoting harmful LGBTIQ “conversion therapy”. The group’s call comes after Amazon recently agreed to remove “conversion therapy” books from sale in their online store after an 80,000-signature petition. Now Equality Australia are petitioning Australian retailers to follow suit. “Angus & Robertson and …
Israel’s education minister claims ‘conversion therapy’ works
Israel’s Education Minister Rafi Peretz has said he believes debunked “gay conversion therapy” can work, sparking backlash. Peretz, an Orthodox rabbi and leader of an ultranationalist party, made the comments in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12. “I think that it is possible to convert [a person’s sexual orientation],” he said, according to BBC News. …
Uniting Church’s LGBTIQ Group Calls On Churches To Denounce Conversion Therapy
Uniting Network Australia, the LGBTIQ group within the Uniting Church of Australia, has denounced harmful “gay conversion” therapy and called on other religious organisations to do the same. “Gay conversion” or “ex-gay” therapy is the discredited practice of trying to change sexual orientation using psychological or spiritual means, and it’s been widely condemned by numerous …
Alan Turing’s notebook sells for $1 million
A hand-written notebook belonging to World War II code-breaking hero Alan Turing went up for auction recently and fetched a whopping US$1,025,000. Bonham’s auction house in New York sold the book. Turing left the notebook and other papers to close friend and mathematician Robin Gandy in his will. The scientist originally purchased the relatively modest …