The NSW government has introduced a bill to parliament that will outlaw gay conversion practices – but allowances have been made for religious sermons.
Conversion practices, which can include so-called “conversion therapy” and suppression practices, are defined by the bill as being formal or informal practices based on the false ideology that LGBTQ+ people have a “disorder” or require treatment.
The practices typically involve teaching people that homosexuality is a sin and can range from religious rituals like exorcisms and psychiatric or psychological "treatments" to aversion tactics like electric shock.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the new law would allow everyone in NSW to be respected for who they are.
“It is intolerable that we have a situation in NSW where children can be told something is wrong with them and that they need to be fixed.
“I’ve personally met with survivors of conversion practices and know how important it is that we put an end to this,” he said.
The legislation’s introduction to parliament follows lengthy delays to allow for more consultation with LGBTI+ and religious groups.
The bill will criminalise conversion practices that seek to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity and cause serious mental or physical harm.
There is a maximum penalty of five years in jail for anyone found to run conversion practices.
However, religious leaders who give sermons about homosexuality being a sin are protected under the new law.
“The government does not intend to ban the teachings of a religious leader or expression of a religious belief through sermon,” said NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley.
Daley said the definition of gay conversion in the bill was a “one-off treatment … or a sustained effort … directed to changing or suppressing the individual's sexual orientation or gender identity”.
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich welcomed exemptions for parents and religious leaders as appropriate, as he called for a respectful debate in parliament on the bill.
“Today is a historic day for NSW as our government introduces legislation to ban harmful LGBTQIA+ conversion practices,” he said.
“The legislation makes it clear, LGBTQA+ people are not broken, we don’t need to be fixed, and if you try you are breaking the law.”
Conversion therapy survivor Jeremy Smith spoke to the media after the introduction of the bill, saying he was honoured to be part of the moment.
“Conversion practices are still going on today, right now in this state,” he said. “These practices destroy lives.
“I implore members of parliament to vote for this bill and save lives.”
Equality Australia chief executive officer Anna Brown urged all MPs to seize the opportunity “to end archaic and harmful practices.”
“Years from now history will remember those who voted to put an end to these damaging practices, saving countless people from a lifetime of pain and in some cases saving lives,” she said.
If the bill is passed it would bring NSW in line with the rest of the east coast after Queensland outlawed the practices in 2020 and Victoria in 2021.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: [email protected]
