This case study contains sensitive material, including discussion of physical abuse and suicide, which may be triggering for some readers. If this case study raises issues for you, please reach out to Qlife, Lifeline or Beyond Blue.
Khalid* was born and raised in a Muslim family in Western Sydney, alongside his five older sisters.
By the age of 10, Khalid knew he was different and as he approached his teenage years, he came to the realisation that he was gay.
When Khalid was 16, he started dating a guy who was a few years older than him. Late one night, they were chatting secretly on MSN Messenger when he told Khalid that he was seeing someone else. Khalid was devastated and dropped to his bedroom floor in tears.
Khalid’s family heard the commotion and came to his rescue. Khalid pretended it was nothing.
The next morning Khalid’s father said: “Please tell me what’s going on. I’ll help you. Is it drugs?”
Khalid finally decided to share those heavy words; “Dad, I’m gay”. Khalid’s father went silent, his face went pale, and he walked away.
Coming out to his parents, Khalid felt a sense of relief. But as Khalid explains, “for my parents, they saw a son who had made a choice to reject their culture, values, religion and hopes for the future.”
Over the next five years, Khalid was met with physical abuse by his family and was sent to a registered psychologist who tried to change his sexuality. This psychologist said Khalid could be ‘put on the straight path’.
Khalid endured years of physical pain and mental anguish.
Eventually, at 21 years of age, Khalid was kicked out of his parents’ home with only a few hundred dollars to his name. The pain of being rejected by his family was so overwhelming that Khalid tried to take his own life.
Khalid’s best friend at the time was a young gay Australian Lebanese Christian man. He helped Khalid by providing support and playing a brotherly role. Khalid turned to social media and dating apps to build new, meaningful friendships. One by one, he started to build a small community of people to call family – both in person and online. His new network of gay friends helped day in and day out. Some bought him goods to furnish his flat, others made him food and one went on regular outdoor runs with him.
Today, Khalid has a wonderful, supportive husband, a successful career in marketing and sits on the board of several LGBTQA organisations. Khalid has learned how to deal with his family and says that he is not responsible for their ignorance or closed mindedness.
Khalid explains that sharing his story has helped with his own self-healing and brought healing to others.
*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual
Under the Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024, it is against the law to try to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Khalid's psychologist engaged in a conversion practice by providing advice based on their own beliefs, for the purpose of trying to change Khalid's sexual orientation.
Some of Khalid’s family members also engaged in conversion practices by using physical abuse to try to change or supress Khalid's sexual orientation.
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. Sharing your story also allows Anti-Discrimination NSW to gather information on conversion practices.
Formal complaints about conversion practices may lead to conciliation between the people involved, targeted education or further investigation.
Complaints about registered health practitioners, including psychologists, can also be managed by the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or the Health Professional Councils Authority. Anti-Discrimination NSW might talk to you about the option of referring your complaint to one of these agencies in some cases.
Read more about conversion practices or make a report.
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