A border equality advocate is disappointed two North East MPs voted against a bill to ban conversion therapy in Victoria.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Former Wodonga Citizen of the Year, Sheridan Williams, said it seemed incongruous that in 2021, parliament was debating whether conversion therapy should be banned.
"I can't understand how years after the Yes vote [for marriage equality] we're still having a debate and conversation about whether to treat queer people as if something wrong with them," she said.
"It seems very, very outdated... and at odds with where we are as a society."
Miss Williams said the banning of conversion therapy sends an important message to queer people that they do not need to be 'cured' but are perfectly normal and accepted.
"Conversion therapy very much says 'there is something broken about you we need to fix'," she said.
"Things like this being banned are so important to young queer people coming out."
The bill passed on Thursday. Members of Northern Victoria Tim Quilty and Tania Maxwell opposed the bill banning conversion therapy, but emphasised their support of LGBTIQ people.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Ms Maxwell, of Derryn Hinch's Justice Party, said health and legal professionals had raised concerns with the party about the bill which led to her not supporting it in its current form.
"As a party which was formed to advocate for the protection of children, we obviously do not support conversion practices," she said.
"However this bill goes far beyond addressing conversion therapy and could potentially limit access to medical assistance, disregards an adults consent and discriminates against those who seek support through means of their choice."
Prior to the vote, the Law Institute of Victoria raised concerns the bill could stop people talking to their children about gender or sexuality, while some professionals were concerned it could compromise psychiatry or physiotherapy practices.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes dismissed these arguments saying; "This bill does not outlaw prayer. It does not prevent health professionals from doing their job. It does not stop parents from talking to their kids about their views about sexuality or gender."
Mr Quilty rejected implications that opposing the bill was the same as being homophobic saying the Liberal Democrats were the only part to vote in favour of marriage equality on every occasion.
He said the bill seeks to prevent people who wish to explore their sexuality from seeking opinions from others, including professionals.
"I am fierce opposed to the practice of forcing people to endure conversion therapy with the notion that they are broken and must be fixed," he said.
"But I am an unswerving supporter of freedom, of choice, and I firmly believe that an informed adult should be able to make a choice to take part in something if they want."
Ms Maxwell's party-mate Stuart Grimley said in parliament "our biggest concern... is the possibility for this bill to allow paedophiles and sex offenders to refuse treatment in order to not have their sexual orientation suppressed."