NEW ZEALAND: Confessing Anglican Bishop Condemns Prohibition of Conversion Practices

Sep 25, 2021 by Chris Sugden

Unwarranted state intrusion Bill is contrary to fundamental rights and personal autonomy.

By Bishop Jay Behan, Virtueonline:

Bishop Behan was making his case against the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill

1. Thank you for this opportunity to submit on the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill (“the Bill”). This issue is deeply personal and significant for many people and my great desire is that we deal well pastorally with people, seeking their good. I apologise in advance if my submission gives any other impression; I am aware that trying to contend logically (and legally) can sometimes read as uncaring and impersonal, which is not at all my desire.

Summary

2. The Bill has laudable objectives. I support the prohibition on harmful and coercive conversion therapy and conversion therapies carried out without consent. The desire to protect and support vulnerable people who feel isolated, different and unloved is something we should all feel strongly about and work towards.

3. However, I respectfully submit that the Bill as it stands fails to achieve its objectives and goes too far in the following respects:
a. The Bill elevates state-mandated values above those of parents. Parents or legal guardians, especially those of faith, will risk criminal liability for raising their children according to their beliefs, ethics and conscience.
b. The Bill is contrary to fundamental rights and personal autonomy.
c. The Bill presents a false dichotomy that all gender affirmation is an unqualified good and all conversion therapies an unmitigated bad.
d. The Bill will adversely and disproportionately effect those it seeks to protect.

Read here