Facebook and Instagram are reportedly updating policies to require removal of content promoting conversion “therapy”.

"We don't allow attacks against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity and are updating our policies to ban the promotion of conversion therapy services," a Facebook spokesperson said.

The difficulty, in an Australian context, is that most conversion practices are either informal (not in a professional setting) or are underground (hidden, closed, secretive, subtle, unnoticed, or unrecognised), which means that messaging involving conversion ideology is often subtle, as opposed to the overt promotion of ‘services’. For example, this messaging can include, amongst many other things, false and misleading claims about the origin of a persons sexual orientation or gender identity, or messaging about LGBTQA+ ‘brokenness’ (or similar). 

Facebook has indicated that they will “continue to consult with experts and people with personal experiences” to inform their response.

This is so important, because we need to ensure companies who commit to helping truly understand how best to do that in ways that will really make a difference.
I’d love Facebook in Australia to consider consulting with SOGICE Survivors regarding how best to ensure safety from harmful conversion ideology/practices for survivors and LGBTIQ+ people of faith. Fingers crossed!

Another step forward! Let’s keep sharing this petition and asking people to sign to call for change! 

Chris Csabs

Note - For a detailed description of LGBTQA+ conversion ideology, please see Part 1 of the SOGICE Survivor Statement.