Have you experienced a change or suppression practice?

You may have participated willingly in these practices – many formal conversion programs claim they only exist to help those who express an independent desire to change.

Survivor groups have indicated this willingness is heavily influenced by a desire to be accepted, whole and worthy, which comes from a deep identification with a faith or other community.

You may have also been coerced by others because of the ideologies implicit within your religious community.

Your willingness to participate does not change the unlawfulness of these practices.

Translated fact sheets in several languages is available to view and download.

An information book for LGBTQA people with intellectual disability is also available.

It can help you to understand that someone cannot try to change who you are as a LGBTQA person. It is always okay to be LGBTQA.

Find the fact sheets and information book (at the bottom of the page).

Practices that may be prohibited under the Act include:

a religious leader meeting one-on-one and telling a member of their congregation that they are broken and pressuring them to suppress and ignore their feelings of same-sex attraction by practising celibacy

a religious leader telling a member of their congregation – with the intent to induce that person to change or suppress their sexuality – that they will be excommunicated if they continue their same-sex relationship and prohibited from returning as long as that relationship continues

using a youth group session to provide ‘support’ through group prayer to a young person to help them fight a desire to act on their feelings of same-sex attraction

running a peer-to-peer support group designed to coach a person who is exploring or questioning their gender identity to accept the sex they were assigned at birth

a psychiatrist stating to their adult patient that their gender identity is a mental illness and proposing a treatment plan to maintain the sex they were assigned at birth while withholding information about other services that will affirm the patient’s gender identity

a teacher telling a student that Allah/God does not accept them unless they keep the sex they were assigned at birth and dress accordingly, and offering to meet with the child weekly to counsel them on how to be acceptable to Allah/God

a parent sending their child away from Victoria to a conversion ‘therapy’ camp that makes a false claim that they can ‘cure’ the child of being gay

a parent or family member sending their child to an interstate psychotherapist, knowing this health professional will give their child information and advice that will seek to change their child’s gender identity

an adult child repeatedly denigrating their elderly parent’s decision to transition, including by telling them it is wrong to be dressing as a different gender to the one they have been, and that they must stop their transition, or the adult child will no longer allow them access to their grandchildren or be allowed visits with the family

a person repeatedly leaving pamphlets in the mailbox of their neighbour who they know to be trans that state that it is wrong to transition their gender and that everyone’s gender expression should match the sex they were assigned at birth. The pamphlet includes contact details of programs and professionals who claim to be able to change a person’s gender identity to the sex they were assigned at birth.

 

Reading stories of real experiences of change or suppression practices will help you better understand other peoples’ experiences of these practices.

In some cases, engaging in a change or suppression practice is a criminal offence.

It may be a criminal offence for a person to:

• engage in a change or suppression practice that causes injury or serious injury
  • injury: physical injury or harm to mental health, whether temporary or permanent
  • serious injury: an injury (including the cumulative effect of more than one injury) that endangers life or is substantial and protracted
• take a person outside Victoria for a change or suppression practice that causes injury
• advertise a change or suppression practice.

The criminal offences are overseen by Victoria Police. If we consider a criminal offence under the Act may have been committed, reporters of practices have the option to report to Victoria Police and we can provide support as required. Reporting to Victoria Police could result in a criminal investigation and criminal charges.

Example: Serious injury offence

A parent places their child into forced isolation, locking them in their room, with the intention of eliminating any feelings of same-sex attraction that their child experiences.

This continues for weeks until the parent believes the child no longer experiences these attractions.

As a result of this treatment, the child suffers severe psychological trauma. The parent could be charged with engaging in a change or suppression practice that causes serious injury (among other potential offences).

Example: Injury offence

A person confides in her school counsellor that she is attracted to both men and women and is ashamed of her feelings.

The counsellor tells the person that she is broken but can be fixed and that she is to remain celibate and attend group meetings multiple times per week to eliminate her feelings. At the group meetings, the person is repeatedly told that being bisexual is wrong and she is broken.

As a result of this ongoing treatment, the person feels humiliated and isolated, leading to depression and anxiety. The counsellor could be charged with engaging in a change or suppression practice that causes injury.

The Act does not prohibit general behaviour or mainstream religious practices.

Examples of conduct that would not be prohibited under the Act include:

• a religious sermon expressing a general statement of belief (provided the sermon is not being directed at an individual in a group setting) explaining a religious view of relationships
• an individual expressing their view on sexuality and gender
• discussion with a religious leader about exploring sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

It is completely legal – and encouraged – to undertake activities that support or affirm someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including:

• providing acceptance, support or understanding of a person​ – or referring them to a person more suited to do this
• facilitating a person’s coping skills to be their authentic self, or explore or develop their identity
• facilitating social support for the individual
• assisting a person to express their gender identity​
• assisting a person who is undergoing a gender transition​
• assisting a person who is considering undergoing a gender transition.

Medical and psychological treatment – in line with professional standards – that are necessary (in the health service provider’s reasonable professional judgement) are also legal. This includes:

• providing a health service
• complying with the legal or professional obligations of the health service provider.

Brave Network is a support and advocacy group for LGBTIQA+ people from Christian backgrounds.
Contact: Via Facebook message or online

Equal Voices is a national advocacy group for LGBTQIA+ Christians.

GLBTIQ multicultural directory lists Victorian groups such as Queer Muslims, Jewish and Gay, Gas Asian Proud, Club Adonis and more.

Queer Middle-Eastern and African Christians in Australia is an advocacy and support organisation.

Melbourne Acceptance is an open and affirming Melbourne community that supports Catholics who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer.

Uniting Network Australia is the national network for LGBTIQ+ people, their families, friends and supporters within the Uniting Church.

Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their family, and friends.
Contact: 1800 729 367 or 0480 017 246 (SMS) or support@rainbowdoor.org.au

Rainbow Inclusion is for LGBTIQA+ people with disability. The website – made by and with LGBTIQA+ people with intellectual disability, has booklets, fact sheets, videos, posters and more.

Transcend Australia works with parents, carers and their children to support, affirm and celebrate trans, gender diverse and non-binary children.
Contact: https://transcend.org.au/contact/

Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council is a national body that advocates for the rights of multicultural and multifaith LGBTIQ individuals and communities and provides referrals to existing services, community groups and agencies.
Contact: contact@agmc.org.au

Thorne Harbour Health, Victoria’s largest LGBTIQ health organisation serving the health needs of LGBTIQ communities to ensure all gender, sex, and sexually diverse individuals are treated with dignity and can participate fully in society.
Contact: 1800 134 840 or enquiries@thorneharbour.org

Queerspace is an LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service.
Contact: 03 9663 6733 or enquiries@ds.org.au

QLife provides LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships from 3pm – midnight.
Contact: 1800 184 527

CT Survivors is a survivor support and advocacy group who promote safe spaces for all conversion therapy survivors (Canadian based).

Beyond Blue provides 24-hour information, advice and support for people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.
Contact: 1300 224 636

eheadspace provides information and support about mental health and wellbeing to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends.
Contact: 1800 650 890

Guide to finding an affirming psychologist: for those seeking a psychologist to work through negative experiences with religion.

Suicide Call Back Service provides 24-hour counselling for suicide prevention and mental health via telephone, online and video for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts.
Contact: 1300 659 467

ReachOut provides information, support and resources about mental health issues for people under 25 years.

Minus18’s articles about sexuality, gender, identity, wellbeing, coming out and more.

Transcend’s resources for all trans, gender diverse, non-binary, brotherboys, sistergirls and questioning young people.

One Foot In videos for LGBTIQA+ people from diverse backgrounds who might be silently struggling, and their loved ones who want to support them.

Sexuality, faith, and culture: a podcast episode with two people who struggled to reconcile their sexuality and religion.