Alex Greenwich Wants To See Gay Conversion Therapy Gone In NSW

Independent MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich has stated his intentions to make banning gay conversion therapy in New South Wales a priority in the next state government.

He’s warned both of the major parties that his support in a minority government will be dependent on backing his bill, the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2023.

He aims to have it in line with other states such as Victoria, ACT and Queensland as the practice is already outlawed. Greenwich is expecting backlash from church groups after they protested against the Victorian government.

Announcing my next bill: Prohibiting LGBTQ Conversion Practices in NSW.

You can read about it in today’s @smh at https://t.co/SMLWdZ1Iz7

Thank you @EqualityAu, @SOGICEsurvivors, @gayambassador and @NewPlusPeter for your support. #nswpol ????️‍????????️‍⚧️ pic.twitter.com/PoJcbGct4G

— Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) February 9, 2023

However, Greenwich has included a clause in his bill that allows churches to express religious principles or beliefs just as long as it is “not intended to change or suppress that person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Archbishop Supports It

The bill already has the support of one church leader, the Anglican Bishop of Newcastle Peter Stuart who has stated that “there is no place for conversion practices in NSW.”

“The research consistently shows that conversion practices represent a critical risk to LGBTIQA+ people,” Stuart said, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

“These practices directly and indirectly tell people that they are not worthy and are not wanted as they are.”

“Those who have experienced conversion practices speak of the damage done to them including persistent thoughts of ending their lives.”

Labor And Liberal’s Response

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has promised to ban the “dangerous and damaging” therapy as he says does not belong in NSW.

“We should not have a situation where children are being told something is wrong with them and that they need to be fixed,” he said.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet however was skittish on his answer as to whether or not he’d support the change if re-elected in the March election.

“I always encourage people to work through those issues and treat everybody with respect, understanding and tolerance – and that’s what our government has always been about,” he said, as reported by the Guardian Australia.