Gender and Sexual Orientation

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Victorian Senator Janet Rice (Greens), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) studies suggest that at least one in ten LGBTQA+ Australians are vulnerable to religion-based pressures and attempts to change or suppress their sexuality and/or gender identity,

(ii) many people who experience attempts to change or suppress the LGBTQA+ elements of their selves are severely harmed by those attempts,

(iii) today the Victorian Parliament is voting on the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Prohibition Bill, a world class bill that would outlaw sexuality and gender identity conversion practices across the state, and

(iv) a national approach to banning conversion practices is required to ensure the rights, wellbeing and protection of every LGBTQA+ Australian; and

(b) calls on the Government to establish a national inquiry into the prevalence and impact of formal and informal conversion practices in Australia, inclusive of educational, pastoral care and community settings.