Conversion Therapy
Conversion Therapy: Legal Status, Harm, and Community Response in Australia
Conversion “therapy” refers to practices that attempt to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. These practices are now banned in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, ACT, and Queensland. Western Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory have committed to introducing bans. Learn more at ABBI.
- Most survivors knew from an early age they were LGBTQ+.
- Faith and service were central to their lives during the period they were subjected to conversion practices.
- Many carry deep grief and anger from being told they were “broken” and needed fixing.
- All experienced a profound sense of loss at the lives taken from them.
We endorse the report’s recommendations and call on all governments to:
- Prohibit all forms of conversion practices, with criminal penalties for breaches.
- Fund urgent support for survivors, including mental health and family services.
- Ban conversion practices in schools and require chaplaincy training on the harm caused.
- Regulate counsellors and require professional standards that prohibit conversion practices.
We also call on all religious organisations to denounce “celibacy mandates” and any statements that LGBTQ+ people are disordered or broken. These practices and beliefs are inconsistent with the message of Jesus: “Love God and love one another.”
Further Reading & Resources:
- ABBI: Conversion “Therapy” Resource Hub
- UN Statement on Conversion Therapy
- Gay Conversion Therapy in Australia (ABBI)
- What is Gay Conversion Therapy? (ABBI)
- Conversion Therapy Survivors – Testimonials
- NSW Government Submission (PDF)
- Download: Ex-Gay/Conversion Therapy Authority Timeline
- More articles on the ABBI Blog
- SA conversion therapy ban comes into effect
- Conversion therapy still legal in WA despite promises to ban it
Watch: Conversion Therapy – Does It Work?
