New Zealand has also banned conversion therapies, namely those practices that seek to change sexual orientation or the gender expression of LGBTQi people. The law punishes those who administer these “therapies” to minors under the age of 18, or those with reduced decision-making capacity, with imprisonment of up to three years. However, it is a crime to implement these practices when they cause “serious damage”, regardless of age: the penalty is a sentence of up to five years in prison.
The justice committee has received nearly 107,000 requests for the establishment of this law – the highest number ever reached on a piece of legislation in New Zealand.
“I grew up in a religious family,” Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson explained to the House. “When I finally had the courage to come out to my parents, I was greeted with love, but not everyone is or has been so lucky. To all those who have undergone conversion practices or attempts, we want to say: this law is for you. We cannot bring you back, we cannot undo all the pain you have gone through, but we can assure you that, for generations to come, we will provide the support and love you have not received and we will protect you from those who try to keep you from being who you are“.
On Twitter, Minister Kiri Allan shared her experience: at 16, “I did conversion therapy (it wasn’t called that, but that was it) with the church. I tried desperately to be accepted by my family, my community and my church. “
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She felt sick and weak. “It took a long time to shake off that shame and that trauma. Our Parliament will ensure that this practice is banned forever in our country. For our next generation of children, I feel so relieved. Thanks to all those who supported this change ».
Conversion Therapy Action Group founder Shaneel Lal said: “Ban Conversion Therapy it is a victory for humanity, not just for the queer community. Queer rights are human rights. Queer people don’t need to be tolerated or accepted. We need to be freed ».
At the beginning of the year, conversion therapy was also banned in Canada: violations of the law can lead to a sentence of up to five years in prison. But now more and more nations have outlawed this practice: among these, France, India, Malta, Ecuador, Germany and about twenty US states.
Other stories of Vanity Fair that might interest you:
“They wanted to save me, they tortured me.” Among the communities that “cure” gays
Alan Turing, the mathematician who defeated Hitler and was convicted of being gay
“He converted” homosexuals, today he declares: “I’m gay”
Germany, priests against the Vatican: “We bless gay couples”
Source: Vanity Fair
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