Image: Image: Composite - Wikicomons
More than 50 Tasmanian doctors and other health practitioners have signed a statement supporting the state’s proposed ban on conversion practices, ahead of parliamentary debate expected at the end of the month.
The statement has been sent to all Tasmanian MPs, urging support for the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill. Organisers have asked that signatories’ names remain unpublished to protect their personal safety.
Statement organiser Dr Miranda Hann said health professionals were familiar with the consequences of conversion practices.
“Doctors and other health practitioners strongly support the conversion prohibition bill because conversion practices inflict deep harm, and often we are the ones who have to pick up the pieces” she said.
Dr Hann said research showed one in 20 LGBTQIA+ Tasmanians had experienced formal conversion practices, with survivors three to four times more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder and attempt suicide.
She said the statement also addressed informed consent, the standing of legitimate health care and concerns about treating young people with gender issues.
“As health practitioners we understand the importance of informed consent and believe it is not possible to give informed consent to conversion practices because the damage these practices cause, their futility and the practitioner’s lack of qualifications are never disclosed to those undertaking them,” Dr Hann said.
She rejected suggestions the legislation would prevent practitioners from exploring treatment options for young people.
“The existing clinical guidelines for healthcare providers are clear and the bill’s provisions will not change those guidelines in any way.”
“Health practitioners have not been put in a difficult position by conversion legislation interstate and won’t be in Tasmania either.”
Equality Tasmania spokesperson Rodney Croome welcomed the statement, saying it reflected mainstream opinion within the health professions.
“It is a reminder that the bill will improve mental health outcomes for Tasmanians and not have all the negative impacts the bill’s opponents predict,” Mr Croome said.
“Every single reputable health organisation that submitted to the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute inquiry into this issue agreed conversion must be prohibited.”
Equality Tasmania is encouraging supporters to sign a parliamentary e-petition sponsored by Kristie Johnston and send personalised emails to MPs.
“I urge Tasmanians to listen to the experts and get behind this landmark bill,” Mr Croome said.
The support comes amid opposition from Deputy Premier Guy Barnett, of the Liberal Party, who described the Greens’ bill as “fundamentally flawed” in correspondence with Women Speak Tasmania, arguing it could criminalise religious conversations and prayers.
Barnett previously called for a further inquiry before parliamentary debate. Croome rejected those concerns, saying similar provisions in Victoria and NSW had not resulted in convictions for conversations or prayers, and warning that further consultation would delay overdue reform.
You can sign the petition online here or email politicians directly via the Equality Australia website.
You May Also Like
Support the Star Observer… while you still can
LGBTQIA+ media is under threat. Queer content is censored by tech conglomerates who amplify bigotry and push out AI slop — so we receive less financial support than ever.
When our community is muzzled and intolerance intensifies, we need queer media more than ever. Your donation means we can continue paying queer journalists to write queer news.
Don’t rely on the straight lies of big tech – support Star Observer instead and donate now.
Leave a Reply