This article was originally published by Equality Tasmania. You can find the original article here.
Equality Tasmania will seek commitments from all parties and independents to a ban on conversion practices in the lead up to the state election on March 23rd.
Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“Conversion practices continue to cause deep harm to LGBTIQA+ Tasmania two years after the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute called for them to be banned.”
“We will be seeking commitments from all parties and independents for an urgent and comprehensive ban on conversion practices that goes further than the weak and counterproductive bill put forward by Attorney-General, Guy Barnett, in December.”
Mr Croome said the group will also seek commitments to a range of other reforms and initiatives including
– a ban on medically unnecessary surgeries on children with variations of sex characteristics
– better hate crime protections for LGBTIQA+ people
– a dedicated LGBTIQA+ mental health service
– community education on the issues facing trans and gender diverse people
– a Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ communities
– funding for the State Government’s LGBTIQA+ Action Plan and Framework
“We will conduct a survey of parties and independents, and hold a candidate forum, to better inform the LGBTIQA+ community and our friends and allies about where the parties and independents stand on our issues.”
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.