Hi Supporters!

It has been a long time between updates, but there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes.

Today, Sydney MP Alex Greenwich introduced the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 and Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2023 to NSW parliament. Both the Bills represent the most comprehensive potential LGBTIQA+ law reform ever seen in NSW. 
 
I had the privilege of speaking at Alex's press conference this morning and watching from the gallery as he introduced the Bills to parliament. The gallery was full of LGBTIQA+ supporters, including representatives from Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International, Equality Australia, the NSW Gender Centre, Equal Voices, the Black Aboriginal Corporation and SOGICE Survivors.

Introducing the Bills, Alex said, “At the heart of the Equality Legislation Amendment: LGBTQIA+ Bill and the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill is the truth that LGBTQIA+ people exist, are struggling, should be recognised and protected by law and allowed to thrive."

My statement at the press conference:

“My name is Chris Csabs and I am a survivor of conversion practices, and co-founder of SOGICE Survivors. It is such a relief to see the years and years of hard work from survivors, LGBT advocates and the very costly Australian research reflected in Alex's Bill.

"I urge the NSW government to adopt this Bill as legislation. This Bill has the power to smoke the proponents of conversion practices out of hiding, because it has hit the mark.

"Make no mistake, conversion practices are grounded in the idea that LGBTQ people are broken, damaged or that their experience of sexuality and gender is disordered.

"The definition of conversion practices in the Bill is clear and accurate so that it captures practices which we know cause harm. It has narrow criminal penalties and a strong and robust civil process that centres on education rather than punishment.

"There is no excuse for LGBTQIA people in NSW being left in danger of conversion practices or for us to have anything less than total equality in the law.”

While the NSW Minns government has committed to legislation which stops conversion practices, we do not yet have a clear idea of the type of legislation they are considering. SOGICE Survivors urges the government to adopt Alex Greenwich's Bill.

Please continue to show your support as the government considers what has been presented to them today. 

Chris Csabs

Photo from NCA Newswire article (Damian Shaw)