Already Lawa
FOR THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE DRAFT CONVERSION PRACTICES BILL
What Australia and New Zealand have learned from conversion practices laws
Several Australian states and New Zealand have had these laws in force for years. This archive brings together testimony and documentary evidence from families, lesbian, gay and bisexual people, detransitioners, health practitioners and researchers about how they have worked in practice.
SUMMARY
Key points for the Committee
01
A summary of critical findings regarding the legislative impact on parental rights and private family conversations in Australia and New Zealand.
Questions for the Government
02
Documented effects on clinical practice, showing how legal definitions can restrict therapists from providing comprehensive exploratory care.
03
Evidence relating to the experiences of LGB individuals and the recorded impact of legal regimes on same-sex attracted youth.
04
Observations regarding the needs of the detransitioning community and the lack of clinical support within current legal frameworks.
CONTEXT
2020
Queensland
2021
ACT
2021
Victoria
2022
New Zealand
2024
New South Wales
Testimony
Parents and families
[A collection of documented accounts and documentary evidence exploring how current conversion practices laws operate within the context of family dynamics.]
Lesbian, gay and bisexual people
[Testimonies provided by LGB individuals in Australia and New Zealand, providing personal perspective on the impact of legislative scrutiny on their community.]
Detransitioners
[Evidence and personal accounts from individuals who have detransitioned, detailing their clinical and legal experiences within conversion practices jurisdictions.]
Health practitioners
[Direct professional accounts from clinicians and therapists observing the clinical effects and professional implications of conversion practices laws.]
DOCUMENTS
Evidence library
DOCUMENT TITLE
TYPE
JURISDICTION
DATE
Review of Health and Social Impacts
Research
New Zealand
Jan 2023
Victoria State Regulatory Impact Statement
Regulatory decision
Victoria
Nov 2021
ABOUT & METHOD
Scope
This archive collects first-hand accounts and documents about the effects of conversion practices laws in Australia and New Zealand on parents, families, health practitioners, lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and detransitioners. It is not a survey of experiences of gender transition. Accounts that do not concern the operation or effects of these laws fall outside its scope.
The contributing organisations hold the view that these laws have had serious unintended consequences. We present the evidence so readers can judge it for themselves.
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How accounts are collected
Most material in this archive comes through the contributing organisations, who have supported many of the people concerned directly, in some cases for years. Much of it is already on the public record: in parliamentary and inquiry submissions, published research, regulatory decisions, podcasts and media coverage. Each item is listed with its source, date and jurisdiction.
Individuals can also submit accounts directly through the form on this site.
If you are unsure whether describing your situation could expose you to legal or professional risk, please seek legal advice before submitting.
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What is checked and what is edited
Accounts submitted by a contributing organisation come from people known to that organisation, which confirms them before they are sent. Accounts submitted directly through this site are read by [a moderator] and, where possible, followed up with the contributor. Contact details are kept confidential and never published. Every item is checked to make sure it falls within the archive’s scope. Material already on the public record is linked or attributed to its original source.
Children are never identifiable. Where an account involves a child, we remove or generalise their age, school, name and any distinguishing details. Where an account cannot be made safe even after editing, we do not publish it. For accounts published here for the first time, we also remove names, workplaces, clinics and specific locations that could identify the contributor or anyone else, and dates may be reduced to the year.
Otherwise, we edit only for length and clarity. Contributors may ask for their account to be withdrawn at any time.
Read the full methodology →