The Uniting Church of WA has announced that it agreed via consensus at its 45th Annual Meeting of the Synod to prevent harm from Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (SOGICE).

The proposal affirmed that "prayer and pastoral care are long-held Christian practices that will continue to be offered to support and uphold people, including LGBTQIA+ people", and that the Synod "agree that these Christian practices should not be used to harm or condemn any people including LGBTIQA+ people."

The proposal recognised that SOGICE are harmful and further called on the WA Government to work closely with survivors of conversion practices "to introduce legislation to protect people from harmful 'sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts'".

Importantly, The Social Justice Commission made the point that "...it is imperative that we listen to, learn from and walk alongside those for whom we are seeking justice, and so we encourage advocates to be guided by the people directly affected by these practices..." and recommended that members of the Synod read the SOGICE Survivor Statement to gain understanding of the issues. 

It is always amazing when mainstream churches come out and loudly condemn conversion practices and ideology. This news has made my heart happy, and I hope it demonstrates to the WA Government that there is a growing number of Christian voices calling for them to enact quality legislation that is truly protective.

Chris Csabs

The entire proposal can be read here.

Pictured: Geoff Bice, Executive Officer, Social Justice. Source: Uniting Church WA on Facebook.