Transcript
0:00
most individuals are attracted to people
0:02
of a different sex and live their lives
0:04
as the gender on their original birth
0:07
certificate Some people have a different
0:09
sexual orientation or gender identity
0:13
There's nothing wrong with being
0:14
heterosexual or straight or with being
0:17
lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer
0:20
or asexual All of these are perfectly
0:23
natural and valid Everyone deserves to
0:26
be loved and cared for by their family
0:29
friends and community And people can
0:31
still be a person of faith or not
0:34
whichever they prefer In New South Wales
0:38
all people regardless of sexual
0:40
orientation or gender identity should
0:42
feel welcome and valued and be able to
0:44
live authentically and with pride
0:48
There are those who believe that being
0:50
LGBTQA is an illness a choice a disorder
0:54
or a disease They believe it can be
0:57
changed or hidden They believe that
1:00
things can be done to stop a person
1:02
being
1:03
LGBTQA or to fix them These actions
1:07
might look like counselling neverending
1:09
referrals prayer or pastoral
1:12
conversation that is intended to change
1:14
or suppress someone's gender or
1:16
sexuality
1:18
Some people who believe these things
1:20
also believe that a person who has a
1:22
different sexual orientation or gender
1:24
identity can't also be a person of faith
1:28
But we know these so-called conversion
1:30
practices are deeply harmful They don't
1:32
work and they are damaging to the whole
1:35
community Faith and identity are not
1:38
mutually exclusive and numerous faith
1:41
communities actively support LGBTQA
1:44
people The laws in New South Wales
1:46
protect people's rights to have
1:48
religious beliefs and people also have
1:50
the right to be safe and free from harm
1:54
New South Wales now has a law against
1:56
conversion practices These practices
1:59
whether done by family members health
2:02
professionals or healthcare providers
2:04
disability support providers teachers or
2:07
faith leaders among others are now
2:10
unlawful because they are based on ideas
2:12
that we now know are untrue and harmful
2:16
The law says a practice is illegal if
2:18
it's directed at an individual because
2:21
of their sexual orientation or gender
2:23
identity to try to make them change or
2:26
suppress their sexual orientation or
2:28
gender
2:29
identity It is not a conversion practice
2:32
to state what a religion says about a
2:34
particular topic provided it's not
2:36
directed to changing or suppressing an
2:39
individual's sexual orientation or
2:41
gender identity There's nothing wrong or
2:44
broken about LGBTQA people It's damaging
2:48
to say that LGBTQA people should be
2:50
fixed And it's inaccurate to say they
2:53
can be fixed or
2:55
healed We know that survivors of these
2:57
practices can suffer complex and chronic
3:00
trauma People can suffer ongoing
3:02
problems and heavy costs for many years
3:07
LGBTQA people can lose their families
3:10
friends and communities These practices
3:14
can lead to long-term mental health
3:16
issues and in the most tragic of cases
3:20
suicide Reports about conversion
3:22
practices can be made to
3:24
anti-discrimination New South Wales
3:26
Formal complaints may lead to
3:28
consiliation between the people involved
3:30
targeted education or further
3:33
investigation In New South Wales it is a
3:36
crime to provide a conversion practice
3:37
that causes substantial mental or
3:39
physical harm or endangers an
3:42
individual's life This can lead to up to
3:44
5 years in prison It is also a crime to
3:47
take someone outside of New South Wales
3:49
for these practices or to engage someone
3:52
from outside of New South Wales to
3:54
deliver these practices to someone in
3:55
New South Wales This can lead to up to 3
3:58
years in prison a fine or both If you or
4:02
someone you know is being subjected to
4:04
these practices you can make a report to
4:06
Anti-Discrimination New South Wales
4:08
Visit our website for reporting options
4:11
support services and more information
4:13
Beyond legal protections we all have a
4:16
role to play in challenging harmful
4:18
ideology and fostering inclusive
4:20
supportive communities
4:23
If this video has raised issues for you
4:25
please reach out to Q Life Lifeline or
4:28
Beyond Blue for confidential support
4:33
[Music]
Indigenous version
Indigenous version
1
00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:03,680
Most people out there are
attracted to people of a different sex
2
00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:07,160
and live their lives as the gender
on their original birth certificate.
3
00:00:08,040 --> 00:00:12,160
Some people have a different
sexual orientation or gender identity.
4
00:00:13,040 --> 00:00:15,040
There's nothing wrong with
being heterosexual or straight,
5
00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,240
or with being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
6
00:00:18,240 --> 00:00:20,800
Transgender, Queer, or Asexual.
7
00:00:21,240 --> 00:00:24,080
All of these are perfectly natural and deadly.
8
00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:27,400
Everyone deserves to be
loved up by their mob,
9
00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:29,880
their friends, their family, their community.
10
00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:31,720
And people can still be a person of faith
11
00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:32,720
or not,
12
00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:34,240
whichever they prefer.
13
00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:39,160
In New South Wales, all people,
regardless of sexual orientation
14
00:00:39,160 --> 00:00:40,320
or gender identity,
15
00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:42,280
should feel welcome and valued
16
00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:44,240
and be able to live authentically
17
00:00:44,480 --> 00:00:45,480
and with pride.
18
00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:49,920
There are those who believe
that being LGBTQA is an illness,
19
00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:52,120
a choice, a disorder,
20
00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:53,720
or even a disease.
21
00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:55,800
They believe it can be changed,
22
00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:57,120
or hidden.
23
00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:02,120
They believe that things can be done
to stop a person being LGBTQA,
24
00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:03,400
or to fix them.
25
00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:06,800
These actions might look like counselling,
26
00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:08,360
never ending referrals,
27
00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:09,200
prayer,
28
00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:11,200
or pastoral conversation,
29
00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:15,520
that is intended to change or suppress
someone's gender or sexuality.
30
00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:18,240
Some people who believe these things,
31
00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:21,120
also believe that a person who has
a different sexual orientation
32
00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:22,160
or gender identity,
33
00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:24,520
can’t also be a person of faith.
34
00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:27,320
But we know these so-called
conversion practices
35
00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:28,720
are deeply harmful,
36
00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:30,080
they don't work,
37
00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:32,400
and they’re damaging
to the whole community.
38
00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,800
Faith and identity aren’t mutually exclusive,
39
00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:41,320
and numerous faith communities
actively support LGBTQA people.
40
00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:45,480
The laws in New South Wales protect
people's rights to have religious beliefs,
41
00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:48,520
and people also have the right
to be safe and free from harm.
42
00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:52,920
New South Wales now has a law
against conversion practices.
43
00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:54,280
These practices,
44
00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:55,760
whether done by your own mob,
45
00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:59,280
your family members, health
professionals or healthcare providers,
46
00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:02,120
disability support providers, teachers
47
00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:03,680
or faith leaders, among others,
48
00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:05,480
are now unlawful
49
00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:09,840
because they are based on ideas
that we now know are untrue and harmful.
50
00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,360
The law says the practice is illegal if it's:
51
00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:15,080
directed at an individual,
52
00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:18,520
because of their sexual
orientation or gender identity,
53
00:02:18,920 --> 00:02:22,680
to try make them change or
suppress their sexual orientation
54
00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:24,040
or gender identity.
55
00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:26,280
It is not a conversion practice
56
00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:28,880
to state what a religion says
about a particular topic,
57
00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,880
provided it's not directed at
changing or suppressing
58
00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:34,600
an individual's sexual orientation
or gender identity.
59
00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:38,680
There's nothing wrong
or broken about LGBTQA people.
60
00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,360
It's damaging to say LGBTQA
people should be fixed,
61
00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:45,240
and it's inaccurate to say
they can be fixed or healed.
62
00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:50,080
We know that survivors of these practices
can suffer complex and chronic trauma.
63
00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:54,680
People can suffer ongoing problems
and heavy costs for many years.
64
00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:58,080
LGBTQA people can lose their families,
65
00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:00,720
friends and communities.
66
00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:04,480
These practices can lead to
long-term mental health issues
67
00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:06,720
and in the most tragic of cases,
68
00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:08,400
suicide.
69
00:03:09,920 --> 00:03:11,400
Reports about conversion practices
70
00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,720
can be made to Anti-Discrimination NSW.
71
00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:17,880
Formal complaints may lead to conciliation
between the people involved,
72
00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:21,480
targeted education
or further investigation.
73
00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:25,680
In New South Wales, it’s a crime
to provide a conversion practice
74
00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:28,280
that causes substantial
mental or physical harm
75
00:03:28,640 --> 00:03:30,480
or endangers an individual's life.
76
00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:33,680
This can lead to up
to five years in prison.
77
00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:38,280
It is also a crime to take someone outside
of New South Wales for these practices,
78
00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:41,040
or to engage someone from
outside of New South Wales
79
00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:43,920
to deliver these practices to
someone in New South Wales.
80
00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:48,920
This can lead to up to three years
in prison, a fine or both.
81
00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:52,280
If you or someone you know
is being subjected to these practices,
82
00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:53,240
reach out.
83
00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:56,440
you can make a report to
Anti-Discrimination NSW.
84
00:03:56,840 --> 00:04:01,160
Visit our website for reporting options,
support services and more information.
85
00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:03,440
Beyond legal protections,
86
00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:06,520
we all have a role to play in
challenging harmful ideology
87
00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,160
and fostering inclusive, supportive communities.
88
00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:12,600
If this video has brought
some stuff up for you,
89
00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:13,680
you’re not alone.
90
00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:15,480
Reach out to 13 YARN,
91
00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:17,240
Q life, or Lifeline,
92
00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:18,640
for confidential support.
Auslan version
Auslan version
Transcript
0:00
most individuals are attracted to people
0:02
of a different sex and live their lives
0:04
as the gender on their original birth
0:07
certificate Some people have a different
0:09
sexual orientation or gender identity
0:13
There's nothing wrong with being
0:14
heterosexual or straight or with being
0:17
lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer
0:20
or asexual All of these are perfectly
0:23
natural and valid Everyone deserves to
0:26
be loved and cared for by their family
0:29
friends and community And people can
0:31
still be a person of faith or not
0:34
whichever they prefer In New South Wales
0:38
all people regardless of sexual
0:40
orientation or gender identity should
0:42
feel welcome and valued and be able to
0:44
live authentically and with pride
0:48
There are those who believe that being
0:50
LGBTQA is an illness a choice a disorder
0:54
or a disease They believe it can be
0:57
changed or hidden They believe that
1:00
things can be done to stop a person
1:02
being
1:03
LGBTQA or to fix them These actions
1:07
might look like counselling neverending
1:09
referrals prayer or pastoral
1:12
conversation that is intended to change
1:14
or suppress someone's gender or
1:16
sexuality
1:18
Some people who believe these things
1:20
also believe that a person who has a
1:22
different sexual orientation or gender
1:24
identity can't also be a person of faith
1:28
But we know these so-called conversion
1:30
practices are deeply harmful They don't
1:32
work and they are damaging to the whole
1:35
community Faith and identity are not
1:38
mutually exclusive and numerous faith
1:41
communities actively support LGBTQA
1:44
people The laws in New South Wales
1:46
protect people's rights to have
1:48
religious beliefs and people also have
1:50
the right to be safe and free from harm
1:54
New South Wales now has a law against
1:56
conversion practices These practices
1:59
whether done by family members health
2:02
professionals or healthcare providers
2:04
disability support providers teachers or
2:07
faith leaders among others are now
2:10
unlawful because they are based on ideas
2:12
that we now know are untrue and harmful
2:16
The law says a practice is illegal if
2:18
it's directed at an individual because
2:21
of their sexual orientation or gender
2:23
identity to try to make them change or
2:26
suppress their sexual orientation or
2:28
gender
2:29
identity It is not a conversion practice
2:32
to state what a religion says about a
2:34
particular topic provided it's not
2:36
directed to changing or suppressing an
2:39
individual's sexual orientation or
2:41
gender identity There's nothing wrong or
2:44
broken about LGBTQA people It's damaging
2:48
to say that LGBTQA people should be
2:50
fixed And it's inaccurate to say they
2:53
can be fixed or
2:55
healed We know that survivors of these
2:57
practices can suffer complex and chronic
3:00
trauma People can suffer ongoing
3:02
problems and heavy costs for many years
3:07
LGBTQA people can lose their families
3:10
friends and communities These practices
3:14
can lead to long-term mental health
3:16
issues and in the most tragic of cases
3:20
suicide Reports about conversion
3:22
practices can be made to
3:24
anti-discrimination New South Wales
3:26
Formal complaints may lead to
3:28
consiliation between the people involved
3:30
targeted education or further
3:33
investigation In New South Wales it is a
3:36
crime to provide a conversion practice
3:37
that causes substantial mental or
3:39
physical harm or endangers an
3:42
individual's life This can lead to up to
3:44
5 years in prison It is also a crime to
3:47
take someone outside of New South Wales
3:49
for these practices or to engage someone
3:52
from outside of New South Wales to
3:54
deliver these practices to someone in
3:55
New South Wales This can lead to up to 3
3:58
years in prison a fine or both If you or
4:02
someone you know is being subjected to
4:04
these practices you can make a report to
4:06
Anti-Discrimination New South Wales
4:08
Visit our website for reporting options
4:11
support services and more information
4:13
Beyond legal protections we all have a
4:16
role to play in challenging harmful
4:18
ideology and fostering inclusive
4:20
supportive communities
4:23
If this video has raised issues for you
4:25
please reach out to Q Life Lifeline or
4:28
Beyond Blue for confidential support
4:33
[Music]
Our explainer video is also available in six community languages.
LGBTQA conversion practices are harmful practices which seek to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. They are sometimes referred to as ‘gay conversion’ practices or ‘conversion therapy’. Evidence shows that conversion practices are dangerous and damaging.
Conversion practices are not supported by medical research. There is no evidence that sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed or suppressed. While it may appear possible for some individuals to temporarily suppress a part of who they are, research shows it cannot be sustained and is harmful.
Conversion practices may take a number of forms. They can include practices such as counselling, or other psychological or medical interventions, and also some religious‑based practices, including counselling, conferences and spiritual deliverance practices directed to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
However, the shared foundation of all of these practices is the view that LGBTQA identities are undesirable, and that people can and should change or suppress such identities to conform with heterosexuality and the gender that corresponds with their sex assigned at birth.
Conversion practices are against the law.
As stated in the Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 (NSW), a conversion practice means a practice, treatment or sustained effort that is:
The Act also outlines what is not a conversion practice:
Importantly, some expressions of a belief or principle are not a conversion practice provided they are not directed to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. These include:
To learn more about the conversion practices ban in NSW, read our Frequently asked questions.
Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are.
From 4 April 2025, it is against the law for someone to try to change or suppress – or make you change or suppress – your sexual orientation or gender identity, even if you ask for help to do so.
Reports can be made to Anti-Discrimination NSW about conversion practices that occurred on or after 4 April 2025. If the practices began before 4 April 2025 but continued past this date, a report can still be made.
Although formal complaints cannot be made about historical conversion practices from before 4 April 2025, Anti-Discrimination NSW welcomes you to share your story. We can guide you towards resources and support services for ongoing healing and assistance in navigating any challenges related to your experience.
Formal complaints about conversion practices may lead to conciliation between the people involved, targeted education or further investigation. Individuals who make a formal complaint are not required to meet with the other party, unless they choose to. Our processes are flexible and trauma informed.
If you are unsure if what you have experienced or witnessed is considered a conversion practice, we can have a confidential discussion with you about it.
Call us: 1800 670 812 (weekdays 9am to 4pm)
An adult who provides a conversion practice that causes substantial mental or physical harm, or endangers an individual’s life, can face up to 5 years in prison.
Taking someone outside of NSW for these practices – or engaging someone from outside of NSW to deliver a conversion practice to someone in NSW – can lead to up to 3 years in prison, a fine, or both.
The criminal offences will be overseen by NSW Police.
You can get further help and support by contacting these organisations:
| Service | Description |
| Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International (ABBI) | Provides a confidential, non-judgemental safe space and initial conversation, and if needed referral to relevant services for survivors of LGBTQ+ conversion experiences. |
| ACON | Provides Counselling Support for LGBTQ+ adults across NSW who have experienced conversion practices as well as information and support for a range of health issues. |
| QLife | Provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral service for the LGBTIQA+ community across Australia. |
| The Gender Centre Inc. | Provides a broad range of services to support transgender, gender diverse and gender exploring people. |
| Twenty10 | Provides a range of services including housing, mental health support and counselling for young people across NSW who are LGBTIQA+. |
| TransHub | ACON’s digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse people in NSW, their loved ones, allies and health providers. |
| Transcend Australia |
Delivers rights-based services and advocacy that celebrate gender diversity, affirm autonomy, and enhance the protective factors for strong families and young people’s health and wellbeing. |
| HERE | ACON’s digital hub for information on suicide and situational distress, connecting people of diverse gender and sexuality, their loved ones, and service providers in NSW to care, support and resources. |
| Service | Description |
| Brave Network | A support and advocacy group for LGBTIQA+ people of faith and allies. |
| SOGICE Survivors | A group founded by survivors of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts, otherwise known as LGBTQA+ conversion practices. |
| Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International (ABBI) | Serves individuals, churches, denominations, leaders and religious organisations in a respectful way along their journey to understand LGBTQ+ people, their community and relationships. |
| Inner City Legal Centre | Provides a statewide legal advice service for the LGBTIQ community. |
| Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC) | A national body that advocates for the rights of multicultural and multifaith LGBTIQ individuals and communities. |
| Service | Description |
| Equal Voices | A national advocacy group for LGBTQIA+ Christians. |
| Queer Middle-Eastern and African Christians in Australia | An advocacy and support organisation for Queer African and Middle-Eastern Christians in Australia. |
| Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) | An affirming Christian Church for all people, and especially LGBTIQA+ identifying people. There are three MCC churches in NSW: MCC Sydney, MCC Good Shepherd and Crave Church. |
| Uniting Network Australia | A national network of LGBTQ+ communities, families, friends and supporters within the Uniting Church in Australia. |
| Acceptance Sydney | A welcoming ministry of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and their family and friends, affirming their dignity and Catholic faith. |
| Sydney Queer Muslims | A non-profit organisation for LGBT Muslims led by LGBT Muslims. |
| Rainbow Catholics Interagency Australia | Australia's National Catholic Interagency for LGBTIQA+ Affirming Ministries. |
| Service | Description | |
| QLife | Provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral service for the LGBTIQA+ community across Australia. | |
| LifeLine |
Provides access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services for people experiencing emotional distress. | |
| 13YARN | Provides access to 24-hour crisis support that is delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |
| Kids Helpline | Provides confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. | |
| Beyond Blue | Provides 24-hour information, advice and support for people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. | |
| Headspace | Provides early intervention mental health services to 12–25-year-olds. Services include online and phone counselling. | |
| ReachOut Australia | Provides information, support and resources about mental health for people 25 and under. | |
| 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. | |
| Guide to finding an affirming psychologist | A resource for individuals seeking support in navigating challenges related to their religious experiences. |
Help us raise awareness about the LGBTQA conversion practices ban and Anti-Discrimination NSW resources by downloading our communications toolkits:
These toolkits contain information about the new laws, outline the resources available from Anti‑Discrimination NSW and include ready to use materials to help you promote and share.
Last updated:
