Youth Labour and Young Greens on Prohibition of Conversion Therapy Bill

Young Labour and Young Greens welcome the lodgement of a member’s bill to ban conversion therapy in New Zealand.

Labour List MP Marja Lubeck today released details of a Bill, which would prevent any person from advertising, offering, or performing conversion therapy to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

“We are proud to see Marja Lubeck making history by championing the rights of LGBTTQIA+ people. Our young queer people are precious and their lives and experiences are valid. New Zealand should be a place where LGBTTQIA+ people are not only accepted, but empowered to reach their fullest potential. Conversion therapy harms the mana of these amazing LGBTTQIA+ people, and we look forward to seeing Parliament come together to take action when this Bill is drawn,” says Young Labour Rainbow Officer, Ted Greensmith.

The Bill responds to calls from the Association of Counsellors and the Association of Social Workers to prohibit conversion therapy, which can lead to depression, anxiety and, in extreme cases, suicide.

“We are incredibly excited that the loud voices of our community have been heard, and that our lawmakers are moving towards banning this archaic practice. The lodgement of this bill is incredibly heartening, and we want to thank Marja, and the community for uniting for our queer rangatahi across Aotearoa affected by this harmful so-called therapy. We hope that our Parliament too will unite for our rainbow community by banning this practice, to build a more inclusive Aotearoa where our queer young people can thrive.” says Young Greens Co-Convenor, Max Tweedie.

“We call on all political parties to support this Bill. The recent passing of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Act set a precedent for cross party support on LGBTTQIA+ issues. We should all take action to ensure the Rainbow community is free from unethical and inhumane treatment,” says Greensmith and Tweedie.

The Bill follows a story on TVNZ’s Sunday programme, which revealed the extent of conversion therapy in New Zealand, and two petitions to Parliament signed by tens of thousands of Kiwis calling for action.

“It has been great to work alongside a number of community organisations, such as Rainbow Rodney and InsideOUT, as well as political parties across the spectrum, to fight for LGBTTQIA+ rights.”

ENDS

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