Information in your language: Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021

Talking about sexual orientation and gender identity can be complex for faith communities. But when people who are queer, trans or gender-diverse don’t feel supported by their faith communities, research tells us that they may experience significant harm. In 2022, a new law came into effect in Victoria – the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021 – which bans attempts to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Affirming queer, trans and gender-diverse people is essential for their health and wellbeing.

The following fact sheets provide information about people’s rights and responsibilities under the Act.

If you need more information in your language, please email us.

What are change or suppression practices?

Change or suppression practices are deeply harmful practices which seek to change or hide an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. They are sometimes referred to as ‘gay conversion’ practices or ‘conversion therapy’.

These practices are not supported by medical research. There is no evidence that sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed or suppressed.

Practices can include teachings, counselling, spiritual care activities, or other psychological or medical interventions based on the ideology that there is something wrong or broken about people with diverse sexualities or gender identities.

There is nothing wrong or broken about being LGBTQA.

These practices can involve people receiving subtle and repeated messages, that with faith and effort, they can change or hide their sexual orientation or gender identity.