Particularly:

• We want Tasmanian law to have a broad definition of conversion practices
• It should take in all efforts to change, suppress or eradicate the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTIQ+ people, based on the false, misleading and pseudo-scientific claims that LGBTIQ+ people are “broken” and can be “fixed”. It should include all formal and informal settings where such efforts occur and all promotion of such efforts
• We believe a new, stand-alone law is required to send the strongest possible message against conversion practices
• We believe conversion practices should be indictable criminal offences given the harm they cause
• We believe it is not possible to consent to conversion practices because they are promoted using false and misleading claims
• We believe institutions that fail to prevent conversion practices against their members should also be held accountable under the law in much the same way that institutions are held accountable for sexual abuse of people in their care
• We believe a law against conversion practices will not infringe religious freedom, freedom of speech or parental rights because religious and theological statements are not targeted by the proposed legislation
• Instead, the legislation will balance freedom of speech and religion, and parental rights, with the right of vulnerable LGBTIQ+ people to be free from premeditated harm
• A new law against conversion practices should affirm and uphold the human rights of trans and gender diverse Tasmanians, and make it clear that gender affirmation is not a form of conversion practice
• We believe there should be a redress scheme, funded by the Government and from perpetrator penalties, to help support survivors
• We believe there must be adequately funded education programs to ensure the public understands the damage caused by conversion practices and to help ensure such practices no longer occur
• We believe survivors speak with greatest authority when it comes to why a new law is needed and what form it should take and urge government and the community to heed their voices
• We call on faith communities to speak out against conversion practices, especially those practices being perpetrated in the name of faith
• We urge the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute to recommend a law that will ensure conversion practices no longer sully our state and that affirm LGBTIQ+ Tasmanians are valued members of our Island community

If you're a Tasmanian resident please ensure you add your address in the petition so we can tell the TLRI how many Tasmanians support banning conversion practices!

This petition is a joint initiative between just.equal and Equality Tasmania.