Parents of transgender children urge MPs to support conversion ban

Tasmanian MPs will this week debate a Greens bill that would ban conversion practices, which are any attempt to change, suppress or eradicate a person's sexual or gender identity.

A group of 28 parents of transgender and gender diverse children has written to MPs urging them to support the ban.

The parents are worried about the bill failing, or it being watered down so much that their children are not protected.

"Lifesaving legislation" is how Pru Peschar describes a bill to ban conversion practices in Tasmania.

But she and other parents of transgender and gender diverse children are worried about what might happen if the bill fails, or if it is watered down.

"It's lifesaving legislation because it's about making sure that young people and their families are getting the very best support and are not going to be harmed by any sort of intervention," Ms Peschar said.

Conversion practices are any attempt to change, suppress or eradicate a person's sexual or gender identity.

Ms Peschar is one of 28 parents of transgender and gender diverse children who have signed a letter to Tasmanian MPs urging them to support a Greens bill that would ban conversion practices in the state.

"Conversion practices are a real and harmful threat to our children and families," the letter reads.

"Much of the discussion is about same-sex attracted young people who undergo these deeply harmful practices.

The bill is set to be debated in the House of Assembly tomorrow.

Don Pitcher is the father of two adult queer daughters and works with parents of transgender and gender diverse children as coordinator of the Dads for Gender Diversity Project at Engender Equality and group facilitator of Parents of LGBTIQA+ Folk at Working it Out.

He said if the bill to ban conversion practices did not pass, it would send "a message to the broader community that there is something wrong or broken about trans kids that justifies and requires them to be changed or fixed".

"Parents with lived experience of raising trans kids know that this is not true.

Leonie Crosse is a parent of a transgender child. As a youth health nurse, she also works with transgender and gender diverse young people.

"We know that young people who are supported by their families and their community when they're transgender have much better mental health outcomes than those who are forced into practices which go against their authenticity and the way that they inherently are."

A 2022 Tasmanian Law Reform Institute report found conversion practices were still occurring in the state and made a series of recommendations to "address the risks and harms" caused by them.

The Liberals promised to ban conversion practices, but their draft 2023 bill was criticised by LGBTQIA+ advocates and was never tabled in parliament.

The Greens' bill has the support of Labor and independent Kristie Johnston, while independents David O'Byrne and Helen Burnet have indicated in-principle support. Health Minister Bridget Archer said she was "likely" to support it.

The Liberals have been granted a conscience vote on the bill, and several — Guy Barnett, Eric Abetz, Felix Ellis, Gavin Pearce and Michael Ferguson — have said they would vote against it.

Those opposing the bill have argued it goes too far, while the Greens have said it is in line with what other states have legislated.

The bill needs 18 votes to pass. The Greens, Labor and Ms Johnston make up 15.

Ms Crosse said the public debate about the ban had been a difficult time.

"I've had to hold the conversation and actually explain what is meant by conversion practices, which has caused some distress," she said.

Ms Peschar said transgender and gender diverse people and their families were also contending with "anti-trans prejudice".

"We condemn the way the debate has been hijacked by those who want to stir up fear towards the bill by repeating misinformation and stereotypes about our children," she said.

"The bill will not entrench any specific type of gender care, but will adapt to whatever the current medical guidelines are, which is a sensible and responsible approach."

The bill failing is not the only concern the parents have. They are also worried about what might be removed from the bill.

"That would give a green light to conversion practices against trans and gender diverse Tasmanians."

Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT have all banned conversion practices.