Central Victorian LGBTIQ+ advocates have welcomed the Victorian government’s plans to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’, and called on federal politicians to follow suit.
“For a lot of people I don’t think they realise that this went on any more,” Ben MacEllen, a gay trans man, said.
“It’s a really important step to combat the homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in the country in Victoria.”
Premier Daniel Andrews took to social media at the weekend to say gay, bi and trans people didn’t need to be ‘cured’, because there was absolutely nothing wrong with them.
“And if you think otherwise, maybe there’s something wrong with you,” he wrote.
“‘Conversion therapy’ destroys lives. It creates shame and stigma. And soon, it will be against the law in Victoria.
“This is an Australian first. And it’s the right thing to do. Because bigoted quackery has no place in this state. Not now. Not ever.”
Mr MacEllen said having the premier so categorically state that Victorian members of the LGBTIQ+ community were not broken was really significant.
“We don’t hear our politicians speak out like that very much,” he said.
He was not aware of any recent cases of ‘conversion therapy’ within the region.
But Mr MacEllen said he knew of people who had gone through ‘aversion therapy’ in the past.
“Those were very often quite violent and torturous situations,” he said.
“Aversion therapy was very often about shocking people out of having an attraction.”
Harry McAnulty, of the central Victorian LGBTIQ+ advocacy group LOUD, said a ban on ‘conversion therapy’ was long overdue and praised the Victorian government for leading the way.
“There are people across the country and in all the states and territories that could be exposed to this really abhorrent practice,” he said.
“LOUD would be calling on any incoming federal government to make this an illegal practice in Australia.”
Mr McAnulty said LGBTIQ+ community members were often seeking support when they encountered ‘conversion therapy’.
“They often don’t see this is a harmful practice, but indeed it is,” he said.
He encouraged people to seek support from services such as Thorne Harbour Health and headspace.
QLife runs a telephone and webchat service from 3pm – midnight daily on 1800 184 527 or online at qlife.org.au/.
Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
