Joint Letter From Tasmanian Parents Urges Government To Ban Conversion Practices

Parents of trans and gender diverse children across Tasmania have authored a joint letter urging the state’s MPs to back the Greens’ proposed ban on conversion practices. 

The letter, signed by 28 parents, describes ongoing conversion therapies in Tasmania a “real and harmful threat to [their] children and families”.

“We know from local and national research that 1 in 20 young LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians go through conversion practices and that, as a result, they are 3 to 4 times more likely to have PTSD and to attempt suicide,” reads the letter.

“Much of the discussion is about same-sex attracted young people who undergo these deeply harmful practices. But very little is said about those trans and gender diverse young people who are told they are broken because of their gender identity and encouraged to undertake practices that hold out the false harmful promise they will be “fixed”.”

The bill also condemned an unnamed selection of Tasmanian MPs who claim the new bill is dangerous. 

“They complain that young people, especially those who are autistic or same sex attracted, are being pushed by “gender ideology” into identities that are damaging and will end in medical infertility and detransition. They want clinicians to “watch and wait” instead,” the letter said.

The letter went on to point out that 99% of trans and gender diverse people are happy with their decision to affirm who they are and have not detransitioned.

Opponents Of The Ban On Conversion Practices

Meanwhile, The Greens Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2026, set to be debated tomorrow, has been criticised by opponents for not allowing doctors to explore all options with young people who have gender issues.

Pru Peschar, one of the parents who signed the joint letter, says this is absolutely untrue, and condemns those who are “hijacking” the debate to spread non-empirical anti-trans rhetoric.

“The bill will not entrench any specific type of gender care,” said Peschar, “but will adapt to whatever the current medical guidelines are, which is the sensible and responsible approach.”

A support worker with parents of trans and gender diverse children, Don Pitcher, said parents are concerned the bill may be amended so it does not protect their children.

“Parents are concerned that some MPs may move to take gender identity out of the bill, removing protection for their children altogether.”

“That would give a green light to conversion practices against trans and gender diverse Tasmanians.”

“It would also make the state a haven for anti-trans conversion practices given they have been banned almost everywhere else in Australia.”