Navigating Faith, Law, and Truth: What the NSW Conversion Practices Ban Really Means (Plus a Little Sass)

“Love each other—it's from God.” (1 John 4:7)

Recently, the Sydney Anglicans published an article expressing concern about the NSW Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024. Now, I love my Anglican fam, but sometimes we need a little…clarification. As an aspiring Anglican priest and a queer Christian (yes, we exist!), I want to offer a careful, honest look at what the law actually says—and what it doesn’t. Think of me as your friendly neighbourhood explainer.

What Is the NSW Conversion Practices Ban Act?

The Act, passed in 2025, addresses practices "directed to an individual on the basis of the individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and directed to changing or suppressing the individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity" (Section 3(1)). Basically, this includes so-called “conversion therapy” and other sustained efforts to make someone less gay, less trans, or less themselves. You know, the stuff that's about as effective as praying for rain in the desert.

But the law is also very clear about what it doesn't ban. Let's bust some myths, shall we?

What's Protected? (aka, What You Can Still Do)

Religious teaching and prayer: The Act explicitly says that expressing a belief or principle, including in prayer, is not a conversion practice—unless it’s part of a sustained effort to change or suppress someone’s identity. As Section 3(3)(c) states, a conversion practice does not include: "(c) the following expressions if the expression is not part of a practice, treatment or sustained effort, directed to changing or suppressing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity—

(i) an expression, including in prayer, of a belief or principle, including a religious belief or principle,

(ii) an expression that a belief or principle ought to be followed or applied." So, you can still preach that marriage is between a man and a woman. You just can't, like, lock someone in a room and force them to listen to it on repeat. Context matters, folks!

Pastoral care and support: Genuinely helping someone explore their identity, offering acceptance, or supporting someone through questions about sexuality or gender is not banned. In fact, it's encouraged! Think "shepherd" not "sheepdog."

Family conversations: Parents are free to discuss sexuality, gender, and faith with their children. The law only applies if those conversations become a sustained, coercive effort to change or suppress a child’s identity. Section 3(4) clarifies that the following do not constitute a conversion practice: "(d) parents discussing matters relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual activity or religion with their children." You can still have "the talk." Just maybe don't make it a lecture series with mandatory homework.

Medical care: Health services provided by registered practitioners, when clinically appropriate, are not considered conversion practices. Section 3(3)(a) specifies that a conversion practice does not include: "

(a) a health service or treatment provided by a registered health practitioner that—

(i) the registered health practitioner has assessed as clinically appropriate in the registered health practitioner’s reasonable professional judgement, and

(ii) complies with all relevant legal, professional and ethical requirements" So, actual medical professionals doing their jobs are still good. Shocker.

What Does the Act Actually Ban? (aka, The Stuff You Shouldn't Be Doing Anyway)

The law targets harmful, coercive practices—not ordinary church life, not family discussions, not prayer, not teaching. It bans:

Practices, treatments, or sustained efforts aimed at changing or suppressing someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity (Section 3(1)). Because, you know, free will and all that jazz.

Taking someone out of NSW (or bringing someone in) for the purpose of subjecting them to such practices (Section 6). International conversion therapy tourism? Not on our watch!

Causing substantial mental or physical harm through these practices (Section 5). Pretty sure "do no harm" is in, like, every ethical code.

What Did the Sydney Anglicans Get Wrong? (aka, Let's Clear This Up)

The Sydney Anglicans’ article suggests that the Act could interfere with ordinary religious teaching, prayer, or family life. But the law itself says otherwise. Here’s the truth, served with a side of shade:

Ordinary teaching, prayer, and family conversations are protected. The Act only applies to sustained, targeted efforts to change or suppress someone’s identity. It's about patterns of behaviour, not isolated incidents.

Religious freedom is respected. The law is carefully worded to allow churches to teach their beliefs, as long as they don’t cross the line into coercion or harm. You can still believe what you want; you just can't force others to believe it.

The Act is not vague. “Suppression” is only an issue when it’s part of a practice, treatment, or sustained effort—not a one-off sermon, conversation, or prayer. It's about intent and impact, not just words.

Why Does This Matter? (aka, The Heart of the Matter)

As Christians, we are called to love—radically, unconditionally, and without fear. The history of “conversion therapy” is one of pain and harm for many LGBT+ people. This law is about protecting people from that harm, while still allowing space for faith, family, and honest conversation. It's about creating a world where everyone can thrive, not just survive.

My Perspective (aka, A Little Bit of My Soul)

I believe the church can be a place of deep welcome and safety for all people, including LGBT+ people. We can hold our beliefs, wrestle with Scripture, and support one another—without resorting to practices that try to erase or suppress someone’s God-given identity. It's not about changing who people are, but about loving them for who they are.

Let’s be clear: the Conversion Practices Ban Act is not a threat to faith. It’s a call to do better, to love better, and to ensure that our churches are places of healing, not harm. It's a chance to show the world what Christianity is really about: grace, love, and acceptance.

Let’s Keep Talking (aka, Your Turn!)

If you have questions, concerns, or stories to share, I invite you to comment below or reach out privately. Let’s keep unpacking faith, queering norms, and digging up spiritual gold—together. Because the journey is always better when we walk it together.

Grace and peace (and a little bit of fabulousness),

Shane