Source: Human Rights Commission
FAQs about conversion practices
What are conversion practices?
Examples of conversion practices could include, but are not limited to:
- using shame, coercion or other tactics to try to give a person an aversion to same-sex attractions, or to encourage gender-confirming behaviour
- encouraging someone to believe their sexuality or gender, or parts thereof, are defective or disordered, or
- performing a deliverance, exorcism or prayer-based practice intended to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity
- using shame, coercion or other tactics to try to give a person an aversion to same-sex attractions, or to encourage gender-confirming behaviour.
What are not conversion practices?
It is not a conversion practice if:
- a parent or guardian respectfully discusses sexuality or gender with their child, including offering advice and guidance, or expresses a belief or religious principle to their child. This must be done without the intention of changing or suppressing the child’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
- a religious leader preaches, prays for or provides pastoral care for a parishioner or parishioners regarding sexuality or gender. This must be done without the intention of changing or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
- a medical practitioner acting within the legal, professional, and ethical standards to which they are subject considers in their reasonable professional judgement that it is appropriate to take that action.
It is also not a conversion practice to:
- assist someone who is undergoing, or considering undergoing a gender transition.
- assist someone to express their gender or identity.
- provide acceptance, support or understanding of an individual.
- facilitate a person’s coping skills, development or identity exploration, or to facilitate social support.
If you are not sure, contact us free on 0800 496 877 or email [email protected], or you may like to seek legal advice.
Do conversion practices actually work?
There is no evidence that conversion practices can change sexuality or gender, and numerous studies have shown they can cause significant and long-lasting harm. They are dangerous, discredited, widely renounced, and now banned in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Why do you call them conversion practices and not conversion therapy?
These practices have no therapeutic value or basis in medicine. Calling them therapy is misleading and undermines other genuinely helpful kinds of therapies.
What are other names for conversion practices?
There are many other names conversion practices can be known by, usually in an effort to disguise the true nature of the activities. These include but are not limited to:
- conversion therapy
- ex-gay or ex-trans ministries
- healing sexual brokenness
- sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts
- reparative therapy
- overcoming same-sex attraction
I’m not sure if what I’m doing is a conversion practice. How can I find out?
If you have questions about a practice you provide, contact us free on 0800 496 877 or email [email protected], or you may like to seek legal advice. You can find more information about our information and support services here: www.hrc.co.nz/how-we-can-help
