Lexi Webster
Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific practice that aims to change the sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression of LGBTQIA+ individuals. While it is widely discredited and opposed by many medical and human rights bodies, it remains legal in most of Australia. However, some states, including Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), have taken steps to ban the practice, recognizing its harmful impact on the physical and mental health of LGBTQIA+ individuals. The effectiveness of these bans has been questioned, and there is a growing push for a comprehensive national ban on conversion therapy in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status of conversion therapy | Legal in most of Australia |
| States where it is banned | Queensland, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Victoria |
| States with plans to ban | South Australia, Western Australia |
| States with no ban | Western Australia |
| Support for a ban | Australian Psychological Society, Australian Medical Association, World Medical Association, United Nations, Australian Labor Party, LGBTQIA+ community and advocacy groups |
| Opposition to a ban | Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Liberal Party |
| Forms of conversion therapy | Religious counselling, pastoral care, prayer ministry, "accountability" groups, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychoanalytic treatment |
| Harmful effects | Internalised homophobia, self-hatred, shame, confusion about sexuality and gender identity, physical injuries, mental health issues (depression, anxiety, PTSD), suicidal thoughts |
| International bans | Brazil, Malta, Germany, parts of Spain, United States |
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What You'll Learn
Conversion therapy is illegal in Queensland, ACT, and Victoria
Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific practice that aims to change the sexual orientation and gender identity of LGBTQIA+ people. It has been condemned by several medical and human rights bodies, including the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Medical Association, and the United Nations. The methods used in conversion therapy include beatings, rape, electrocution, forced medication, confinement, forced nudity, verbal abuse, and aversion therapy. The extreme methods include lobotomy, castration, and clitoridectomy.
In Australia, conversion therapy is not banned nationwide, and it remains legal in most states and territories. However, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Victoria have taken steps to ban the practice and protect the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Queensland was one of the first jurisdictions in Australia to criminalize conversion therapy, passing laws in August 2020 that made it an offense for health service providers to engage in conversion therapy practices, with penalties of up to 18 months in prison. The laws in Queensland have been criticized for not addressing the less-formalized practices that occur in religious settings.
The ACT also passed laws banning conversion therapy in August 2020, offering hope to the LGBTQIA+ community in the territory.
Victoria has introduced some of the most comprehensive legislation to combat conversion practices, which came into effect in February 2022. The Victorian legislation goes beyond clinical settings and targets religious practices that intend to change or suppress an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity.
While these states and territories have made significant progress in addressing conversion therapy, the absence of a nationwide ban means that LGBTQIA+ individuals in other parts of Australia remain vulnerable to these harmful practices.
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It is not banned in Western Australia
Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific practice that aims to change the sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and gender-diverse people. It is widely discredited and has been recognised as harmful to the physical and mental health of LGBTQI+ individuals. In Australia, conversion therapy is most commonly associated with religious groups and includes activities such as counselling for "sexual brokenness", prayer, scripture reading, fasting, retreats, and "spiritual healing". Despite growing recognition of the harms caused by conversion therapy, it is not currently banned in Western Australia (WA).
While Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Victoria have passed laws banning conversion therapy, WA has yet to implement similar legislation. In 2022, WA's Attorney General, John Quigley, committed to outlawing conversion therapy in the state. However, as of February 2024, conversion therapy remains legal in WA. The WA Premier, Roger Cook, acknowledged the difficulty in legislating against conversion therapy due to the challenge of defining "therapeutic activity" in a statutory sense.
The lack of a ban in WA has drawn concerns from the LGBTQIA+ community, with survivors of conversion therapy sharing their traumatic experiences and calling for a ban. These practices can involve cognitive behavioural therapy or psychoanalytic treatment but are often informal, such as repeatedly telling individuals that they are damaged but can be helped, fixed, or saved. The covert and informal nature of conversion therapy makes it challenging to identify and address.
The push for a ban in WA is supported by various organisations and professional bodies, including survivor groups and advocacy organisations. Additionally, the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Medical Association, and the United Nations have all condemned conversion therapy practices. The Independent Forensic Expert Group has also emphasised the "lack of medical and scientific validity of conversion therapy". The absence of a ban in WA highlights the ongoing need for comprehensive legislation to protect the rights and well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the state.
In conclusion, while there have been promises to outlaw conversion therapy in WA, it remains legal as of 2024. The WA government's acknowledgment of the issue and ongoing consultation with the LGBTQIA+ community offer hope for future legislative change. However, the continued legality of conversion therapy in the state underscores the urgent need for action to protect the rights and well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals in WA.
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Religious-based conversion therapy is common in Australia
Conversion therapy is a widely discredited practice that aims to change the sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and gender-diverse people. It is based on the false idea that LGBTQI+ people are "damaged" and in need of "fixing". While conversion therapy is not illegal across Australia, some states have taken steps to ban the practice.
A major report confirms that religious conversion therapy is pervasive in many faith communities in Australia and is causing significant harm to LGBTQI+ individuals. The report calls for action from governments, the health sector, and religious communities to address the conflict between gender identity, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs.
The Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Medical Association, and the United Nations have all condemned conversion therapy. They recognize the harmful physical and mental health consequences it can have on survivors, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, internalized homophobia, self-hatred, shame, and confusion about sexuality and gender identity.
While some Australian states, such as Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Victoria, have passed laws banning conversion therapy, these laws vary in their effectiveness and scope. For example, Queensland's ban has been criticized for not addressing the less-formalized practices that occur in religious settings. As a result, there is a growing push for a comprehensive national ban on conversion therapy in all its forms and contexts to protect the human rights and well-being of LGBTQI+ Australians.
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It includes counselling, prayer, scripture reading, fasting, etc
Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific practice that attempts to change an individual's sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to align with heterosexual and cisgender norms. While it is not explicitly mentioned whether conversion therapy is illegal in Australia, some states have taken steps towards banning it. Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are the first Australian jurisdictions to criminalize conversion therapy, and Victoria has legislation attempting to ban gay conversion therapy in clinical settings. South Australia's Labor opposition is also calling for a ban.
Conversion therapy includes a range of practices, such as counselling, prayer, scripture reading, and fasting. Counselling, also known as pastoral guidance or therapeutic techniques, involves faith-based discussions and may be accompanied by religious support groups, workshops, or conferences. It may also include reading ex-gay literature, which promotes the idea of changing one's sexual orientation or gender identity. Counselling services have been criticized for their lack of regulation in Australia, and there are concerns about the harm caused by these practices, especially within religious groups.
Prayer is another common element of conversion therapy. It can take the form of private prayer or prayer with others, often referred to as "prayer with believers." Some individuals may attempt to "pray the gay away," believing that prayer can help them overcome same-sex attraction or unwanted sexual desires. However, the effectiveness of prayer in changing sexual orientation is questionable, and it is considered by some to be a form of abusive practice.
Scripture reading is also utilized in conversion therapy, particularly in religious-based programs. Individuals may be encouraged to read and interpret biblical passages in a way that promotes heterosexuality and cisgender norms. This can include studying the Bible or other religious texts to find justifications for their beliefs and actions.
Fasting is another technique employed in conversion therapy. It is often used in conjunction with other spiritual practices and may involve abstaining from food or certain activities for a period of time. Fasting is believed to bring individuals closer to their religious beliefs and help them focus on their desired outcome of changing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Conversion therapy is opposed by many medical and human rights bodies
Conversion therapy is a dangerous and discredited practice that aims to change an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It is opposed by numerous medical and human rights organisations worldwide due to its harmful nature and lack of scientific validity.
In Australia, conversion therapy is most commonly associated with religious groups, involving practices such as counselling for "sexual brokenness", prayer, scripture reading, fasting, and retreats. While Queensland and the ACT have recently criminalised conversion therapy, it remains legal in most of the country.
The practice of conversion therapy is opposed by many professional medical and human rights bodies. The Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Medical Association, and the United Nations have all spoken out against it. The Independent Forensic Expert Group has stressed the "lack of medical and scientific validity of conversion therapy," joining a chorus of international organisations that have rejected these practices.
Every major medical and mental health organisation in the United States has issued a statement condemning conversion therapy. The World Psychiatric Association, for example, affirmed that "there is no sound scientific evidence that innate sexual orientation can be changed." Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign, an organisation dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, has been vocal in its opposition to conversion therapy, highlighting the lies and dangers associated with these practices.
The harmful effects of conversion therapy are well-documented. It encourages internalised homophobia, self-hatred, shame, and confusion about sexuality and gender identity. It can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and even suicide, particularly among minors. Furthermore, it perpetuates outdated views of gender roles and reinforces negative stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community.
The advancement of conversion therapy also has societal implications, disseminating inaccurate views about gender identity, sexual orientation, and the ability of LGBT people to lead fulfilling lives. As a result, there is a growing push for a global ban on conversion therapy, with countries like Brazil, Malta, Germany, and parts of Spain and the United States already taking steps to outlaw these practices.
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Frequently asked questions
No, conversion therapy is not illegal across Australia. However, Queensland, Victoria, NSW, the ACT and South Australia have introduced laws to combat these practices.
Conversion therapy involves practices aimed at changing the sexual orientation, gender identity or expression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse people. It encourages internalised homophobia, self-hatred, shame and confusion about sexuality and gender identity.
Conversion therapy has been condemned by the Australian Psychological Society, Australian Medical Association, World Medical Association and the United Nations. It has been linked to survivors experiencing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stated that he does not support conversion therapy but believes it is "ultimately a matter for the states". He also commented that "people should make their own choices about their own lives".
In 2021, an alleged conversion therapy event was advertised within Albany's Baptist Church, featuring people who had "found a new life in Jesus Christ". In the lead-up to the 2019 federal election, it was reported that members of the Victorian Liberal Party planned to debate allowing conversion therapy.
