Hi Supporters!

There is really exciting news today as the NSW government introduced its bill to prohibit conversion practices.

As you know, my own engagement with conversion practices started in Sydney when I was just 16 years old. I’m hopeful that this important reform will be able to make a huge step forward in ensuring the harm from conversion ideology and practices is stopped in New South Wales.

Please read this statement from Brave Network and SOGICE Survivors:

“SOGICE Survivors and Brave Network are pleased the NSW government is introducing a bill to prohibit conversion practices. This is a significant reform to combat an ideology and practices that have been alarmingly prevalent in NSW in recent decades.

“The government’s bill includes carefully crafted definitions, criminal offences, and a civil scheme featuring educative powers and a complaints process.

“While we welcome the government’s adoption of the key parts of the survivor-led model passed in a range of jurisdictions, SOGICE Survivors, Brave Network and our partners across the state and country are eager to see some final improvements made in the coming weeks.

“These improvements include clarity about third party reporting mechanisms, prohibition of advertising, and own motion investigative powers for the arm of government charged with establishing a new Civil Scheme. These will see the bill align with the gold standard model passed in both Victoria and New Zealand.

“We acknowledge the advocacy of Equality Australia and ABBI, as well as the exemplary leadership of Independent Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich.”

As always, thank you for your continued support. It has been a long and difficult journey to get this far, and it is not over. Please contact your local member urging them to support this legislation.

Chris Csabs

See Equality Australia media release here.

Anna Brown said "These practices deny the humanity of LGBTQA+ people and find no support among any medical or psychological professional association. Abuse dressed up as pastoral care is a breach of trust and power and it's time we put a stop to the real and lasting harm conversion practices cause to vulnerable people in NSW."