New Zealand’s Catholic bishops and the new law on conversion therapy are in sync. The bishops’ submission to parliament supported the bill’s aims as being in line with the Catholic Social Teaching principles of human dignity and the common good. “Any harmful, coercive or abusive practice under any name is abhorrent to the Church and Read more
When the priests told me that my sexuality must be changed, it never occurred to me to challenge what they were saying. I grew up in the Exclusive Brethren – a reclusive sect that tightly controls members’ lives and forbids social contact with non-members. The Brethren were firmly anti-gay, and my first awareness of the Read more
New legislation could see parents prosecuted for preventing their children having hormone treatment. It’s understood both criminal and civil offences will be introduced. Although the details are not yet clear, Justice Minister Kris Faafoi has signalled his desire to pass the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill before February next year. The bill responds to Labour’s Read more
After two unsuccessful petitions in 2019, Labour is finally promising to ban conversion therapy. Sherry Zhang talks to Anna* on what conversion therapy was like for her and what a ban on its practice would mean. “It makes me want to cry. It makes me feel seen, like I’m not just making shit up.” That’s Read more