The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s plans to ban gay conversion therapy and called on other States and Territories to follow suit.
The announcement yesterday followed a recent Health Complaints Commission (HCC) inquiry into conversion therapy in Victoria. It found those exposed to such interventions experienced long-term psychological harm and distress. The commission recommended legislation be introduced to prohibit conversion therapy.
APS CEO Frances Mirabelli said the Victorian Government is to be congratulated for acting decisively on these recommendations from the Health Complaints Commission.
“We call on other States and Territories to follow suit and bring in laws to prohibit conversion practices,” said Ms Mirabelli.
Conversion therapy is based on the belief that homosexuality can be ‘cured’. The APS is strongly opposed to any form of mental health practice that treats homosexuality as a disorder, or seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation.
“There’s no evidence that homosexuality or bisexuality is a disorder,” said Ms Mirabelli. “However there’s a mountain of evidence showing the harmful psychological effects of stigma faced by homosexual people, including high rates of depression.”
She said there is clinical evidence that reparative, conversion and ex-gay therapies can compound the challenges already faced by some lesbians and gay men, such as negative mental health outcomes.
Ms Mirabelli said she welcomed the Victorian Government’s in-principle support to fund counselling and support services for survivors of conversion therapy.
APS position statement: Use of psychological practices that attempt to change sexual orientation
For more information, or to arrange an interview call the APS Media team on 03 8662 3358 / 0435 896 444, or email. Find the APS Media team on Twitter: @AustPsych
The APS is the largest professional organisation for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 27,000 members. The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to people’s lives, through improving psychological knowledge and community wellbeing.