Conversion Practices Select Committee submission

Kia ora, I’m Christian.

I support ending conversion practices in Aotearoa.

Society often tells queer people they’re wrong, whether we’re conscious of it or not. It’s in the media that we consume, it’s in the attitudes of strangers on the street. There is still a societal bias toward heterosexuality and binary gender identities as default; a bias that from birth we are all straight and our gender identity always aligns with the genitals we have been born with. Things have changed a lot since I was a kid but there’s still so far to go and these incorrect biases still exist largely unchallenged leading to challenges for my communities.

It’s these biases that lead to environments where it’s unsafe or difficult for some kids to discover who they are and where they fit in in the world. I’ve been one of those kids, questioning my identity from 8 years old. I’ve tried lots of things to not be who I am because of these societal biases. Thankfully none of them work and I’ve had parents who love and support me to be who I am. Though not everyone believes the science, and not everyone wants their children to be who they are, fully.

There’s enough stacked up against queer kids these days without the threat of government-sanctioned torture and so I hope that this passes the next few readings with more support than it did at First Reading. Knowing that this bill will pass in some shape, it’s my hope that the select committee process is used adequately to make the right amends to ensure this is legislation with teeth that doesn’t leave anyone behind.

I would also like Members to consider other levers available to them to ensure the support systems are there for children and victims of conversion practices such as comprehensive sexual health education (including consent, identities, sexuality, sex, etc) and meaningful victim support eg the ACC recommendations.

I expect the select committee will consider my amendments.

RECOMMENDATIONS

This legislation on its own will not end conversion practices. I would like to see the members seriously consider proposed amendments and improvements. In particular:

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