LGBTQ people in Australia are being targeted by fake 'counsellors’ and organisations with the promise of being ‘fixed’ or ‘healed’ through conversion practices and harmful ideologies that tell them they are ‘sick’ and ‘broken’ because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The messaging and resulting activities used as part of conversion practices and ideologies are hurting people and making them feel guilty for being who they are. Young people are often the target of these harmful practices.
LGBTQ young people are more likely to experience mental health issues and these practices and ideologies cause more harm at a time that young people should be receiving support, education and understanding, not being exposed to ideologies that shame and scare them.
In Victoria, the Government has taken action against groups performing conversion practices. The Health Complaints Commissioner now has the power to issue public warnings and can ban them from practising in Victoria. The Victorian Government is the only state and territory in Australia that has shown leadership on this issue and has taken steps to protect LGBTQ people from harm.
Amnesty International has signed onto the sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE) survivors statement calling on the Australian Government to end the harmful practices of SOGICE.
Stand with the LGBTQ community and call on the Prime Minister, First Ministers and Health Minister to ensure conversion practices can’t happen in your state or territory and that it's time for them to protect LGBTQ people from harm.