Premium Content:

Germany's cabinet approve draft bill to ban 'conversion therapy' practices

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her government cabinet have approved a draft bill to ban “conversion therapy” practices that aim to change or suppress an individual’s sexuality or gender.

- Advertisement -

The legislation would outlaw advertising or practice of “conversion therapy”, with providers being fined up to €30,000 for infringement.

Prior to approving the bill, the Cabinet expanded its reach to include banning the practice on 16 – 18 year olds as well as younger minors.

The bill will now pass to Parliament for voting. If passed by both houses of parliament, Germany will join Malta, Ecuador, Brazil, and Taiwan to become only the 5th country in the world to ban “conversion therapy”.

“It is incredibly encouraging to see the Cabinet of Germany taking this step towards banning ‘conversion therapy’ practices, sending a powerful message that LGBTIQ people are not in need of change or cure,” Jessica Stern, Executive Director of OutRight Action International said.

“Demand for “conversion therapy” will decrease only if acceptance of LGBTIQ lives grows. As such, legal efforts to tackle “conversion therapy” have to go hand in hand with measures designed to promote understanding and inclusion of LGBTIQ people. Germany is heading in this direction, and I hope to see other countries follow suit!”

Here in Australia, Victoria and the ACT have banned conversion practices in their jurisdictions, while Tasmania’s Law Reform Institute are currently conducting an inquiry into the issue.

LGBTIQ equality advocates have welcomed the progress in Tasmania, with Equality Tasmania spokesperson Rodney Croome saying;

“Attempts to ‘cure’ or ‘heal’ LGBTIQ people are futile and damaging, so we welcome this important first step towards legislation banning the practice.”

“Our hope is that Tasmanians who have recently experienced conversion practices will tell their personal stories of the pain and trauma they have experienced.”

“We are particularly pleased to see the TLRI will look at the ideology behind conversion practices as well as the harm inflicted by the practices themselves.”

OIP Staff


Latest

The Last Mile: Positive Organisation WA (POWA) Ryan Oliver interview

Australia has set the goal of virtual elimination of new transmissions of HIV by 2030. We sat down with POWA Chair Ryan Oliver to get a better understanding of what that entails.

Are you ready to Movember?

Show your support for men's health this November.

GRAI join exodus from Better Together Conrerence

Executive Officer Kedy Krystal will no longer be speaking about GRAI's Rainbow Housing Project at Better Together.

On This Gay Day | In 2014 Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed he is gay

Cook became the first CEO of a Fortune 500 company who was open about their homosexuality. 

Newsletter

Don't miss

The Last Mile: Positive Organisation WA (POWA) Ryan Oliver interview

Australia has set the goal of virtual elimination of new transmissions of HIV by 2030. We sat down with POWA Chair Ryan Oliver to get a better understanding of what that entails.

Are you ready to Movember?

Show your support for men's health this November.

GRAI join exodus from Better Together Conrerence

Executive Officer Kedy Krystal will no longer be speaking about GRAI's Rainbow Housing Project at Better Together.

On This Gay Day | In 2014 Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed he is gay

Cook became the first CEO of a Fortune 500 company who was open about their homosexuality. 

“I am deeply sorry for this” Jason Tuazon-McCheyne apologies for podcast

The personal apology for The Equality Project's CEO comes ahead of the Better Together Conference beginning on Friday.

The Last Mile: Positive Organisation WA (POWA) Ryan Oliver interview

Australia has set the goal of virtual elimination of new transmissions of HIV by 2030. We sat down with POWA Chair Ryan Oliver to get a better understanding of what that entails.

Are you ready to Movember?

Show your support for men's health this November.

GRAI join exodus from Better Together Conrerence

Executive Officer Kedy Krystal will no longer be speaking about GRAI's Rainbow Housing Project at Better Together.