Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Conversion Therapy Activists Welcome Bill Announcement At Festival For The Future - Could Go Further

News that the New Zealand Government is introducing a bill to ban conversion therapy was met with loud applause at the 11th Festival for the Future at Wellington’s TSB Arena today - Aotearoa’s largest social innovation and leadership summit, while some activists feel it could go further.

A number of activists and supporters for the Bill were in attendance when Minister Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan referenced the announcement.

The 2021 Impact Awards will take place this evening as part of the Festival, with many of those who have fought for the issue to be acknowledged.

They include 2020 Inclusion Impact Award winner Shaneel Lal (they/them) who will be presenting and pioneered the Conversion Therapy Action Group. Activists Georgia Andrews LGBTQI+ advocate (she/her) and Trinity Thomson-Browne (they/them) are both acknowledged in the Inclusion Impact Awards Category this year.

“I welcome the bill, however it is not the bill I would like to see come into law,” says Shaneel.

“Most survivors and grassroots activists are disappointed with the bill, but we're willing to work on it with select committees so it becomes the law that we need.”

Advocacy Group InsideOUT is also in attendance at the Festival’s expo and their group welcomed the legislation to ban conversion practices in Aotearoa.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Managing Director Tabby Besley (she/her) said,“We know conversion practices contribute to ill mental health in rainbow communities. Introducing this law is an important step towards preventing further harm and raising more awareness that trying to change someone’s sexuality or gender isn’t okay.

We believe there is still an opportunity to make the bill stronger through the select committee stage, most importantly by placing more emphasis on how survivors of conversion practices can access support such as free counselling.

The support from the petitions to ban conversion therapy, and evident in the crowd at Festival For The Future sends a clear message that Aotearoa is ready to pass this law.”

Former Young New Zealander of the Year and founder of Festival for the Future Guy Ryan said the ban on gay conversion therapy is an issue that is really important for huge parts of our community.

“I want to acknowledge the young people as part of our community in particular for their courage and advocacy for pushing the Government on this issue.

“I don’t think for any of them it's been an easy journey to get to this point. At every step they have been met with backlash and criticism.

But that perseverance and pushing for human rights, that continued advocacy that they have taken to our leaders has been incredibly important. And it's fantastic to see that perseverance now being recognised by the political leaders of our country.”

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.