Conversion Therapy Is Finally Illegal In Queensland
They're the first state in Australia to ban the practice.
Gay conversion therapy is now illegal in Queensland, making it the first state in Australia to ban the horrific practice.
Under the new law healthcare professionals who try to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity can now face 12 months in jail, or 18 months if the victim is a minor.
We’ve known for a long time now that not only does conversion therapy not work, it’s extremely harmful. The fact that it’s only now being outlawed is frankly astonishing.
LGBTIQ+ Queenslanders don’t need to be ‘cured’ and this ‘therapy’ needs to be banned.
So that’s what we’re doing.
The practice has always been unethical, and now it will be illegal.#qldpol pic.twitter.com/1d3xaiTwMY
— Queensland Labor (@QLDLabor) August 13, 2020
State politicians voted yesterday to make the practice illegal, after Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles introduced the bill last November.
“To young people out there who might hear this, who are still figuring out who they are, there is nothing wrong with you,” he said at the time. “If one day you fall in love with someone the same gender as you, there is nothing wrong with you.
“You can’t be fixed because you are not broken, and anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong — your government supports you.”
Conversion therapy banned in Queensland, vote 47-41! Well done! 👍https://t.co/N9HnbQGX1Z
— Pauline Pantsdown (@PPantsdown) August 13, 2020
How is it still allowed. Why isn’t this a health issue. A therapy that doesn’t work should have a national law to ban it
— sue (@susanbor60) August 13, 2020
Well done Queensland, conversion therapy is simply religiously condoned child abuse.
— inaworddaicos (@djmurphy0412) August 13, 2020
According to SBS a 2018 report by La Trobe University and the Human Rights Law Centre found at least 10 organisations offering conversion therapy in Australia and New Zealand.
The Labor government passed the legislation with support of the Greens. The LNP, Katter Party and One Nation voted against.
Victoria has also committed to banning conversion therapy and last year began public consultation on legislation. On Thursday the ACT introduced a similar bill to outlaw the practice for minors.