The long-awaited legislation to ban LGBTQ+ conversion practices was finally tabled by the Attorney General on Wednesday.
Dr. Amanda Cohn, spokesperson for NSW Greens spokesperson for LGBTQIA+ affairs described the changes as "overdue" and "welcome," yet emphasised the need for further progress. She highlighted the legislation's origins in the tireless advocacy of conversion practice survivors over the years, noting that while it now aligns NSW with standards seen in other states and territories, NSW still harbors the worst laws for LGBTQ+ individuals.
"As one example, NSW is the only jurisdiction that forces people to have invasive and medically unnecessary genital surgery to change their gender on official documents,” she said.
Lydia Shelly, President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL), echoed these sentiments, describing the amendments as a “missed opportunity” as they did not include additional protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Everyone should be afforded protection from any kind of vilification, she said.
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