Equality Tasmania will seek commitments from all parties and independents to an effective ban on conversion practices in the lead up to the state election on March 23rd.

The commitment is one of many being sought in an LGBTIQA+ community survey sent to parties and independents.

Spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“Conversion practices continue to cause deep harm to LGBTIQA+ Tasmania two years after the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute called for them to be banned.”

“Local and national research shows that almost 5% of LGBTIQA+ young people have been through conversion practices in the last two years and that conversion survivors are three to four times more likely than other LGBTIQA+ people to have PTSD and attempt suicide.”

“Prohibiting conversion practices will save lives.”

“We will be seeking commitments from all parties and independents for an urgent and comprehensive ban on conversion practices that goes further than the weak and counterproductive bill put forward by the Government in December.”

Mr Croome said the group will also seek commitments to a range of other reforms and initiatives including
– a ban on medically unnecessary surgeries on children with variations of sex characteristics
– better hate crime protections for LGBTIQA+ people
– a dedicated LGBTIQA+ mental health service
– better health care for trans and gender diverse people
– financial redress for those convicted under the state’s former anti-LGBTIQA+ laws
– protection of Tasmania’s landmark anti-discrimination and gender recognition laws
– funding for the State Government’s LGBTIQA+ Action Plan and Framework
– an LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Act and the appointment of an LGBTIQA+ Commissioner

“We will publish the results of our election survey to better inform the LGBTIQA+ community and our friends and allies about where the parties and independents stand on our issues.”
 
More on conversion practices in Tasmania here:

https://equalitytasmania.org.au/home/endconversion/

Conversion practices still occurring in Tasmania:

https://www.examiner.com.au/story/7406885/launceston-church-makes-no-apologies-for-using-conversion-therapy/

Survivors tell their stories:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-17/conversion-therapy-in-australia-calls-for-ban/101041368

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.