New Zealand has banned the cruel practice of gay conversion therapy with up to five years’ jail for anyone found guilty.
The bill passed with 112 MPs in favour, including all those from NZ’s Labour, Act, the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori. Eight National MPs opposed the bill, reports theIt was an emotional third reading and debate with many of Parliament’s rainbow MPs sharing their own stories.
“We cannot bring you back, we cannot undo all the hurt, but we can make sure for the generations to come we provide the support and love you did not get and protect you from the harm of those who seek to try to stop you from being who you are.Mr Robertson said he acknowledged for some the bill did not go far enough in terms of penalties, but “got the balance right”.
“I desperately tried to ‘pray the gay’ away – to be accepted by my family, community and church,” she said in a tweet.“It took a long time to shake that shame and trauma. Tonight our parliament will ensure this practice is banned in our country for good. National justice spokesman Paul Goldsmith and MP Joseph Mooney, and Act deputy leader Brooke Van Velden also spoke in support of the bill.
NZ’s Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt said they were establishing a conversion practices response services team.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says protesters using 'intimidation and harassment'Despite the arrests and scuffles with police last week, dozens of tents remain on the New Zealand parliament's grounds, with cars and trucks blocking surrounding streets.
Read more »
New Zealand passes law banning conversion therapyThe government says the practices, which are intended to forcibly change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, cause harm and do not work.
Read more »
‘No place’ here: New Zealand bans conversion therapyThe law also protects the right to express opinion, religious belief or principle which is not intended to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation.
Read more »
Young girl found alive under New York staircase years after disappearingShe was found hiding under a staircase with her alleged abductor after police spent an hour searching a home.
Read more »
Alexei Navalny faces 15 more years in prison as new trial startsRussian opposition leader in fresh trial at penal colony far from support base on charge of embezzlement
Read more »
Alexei Navalny faces 15 more years in prison as new trial startsRussian opposition leader in fresh trial at penal colony far from support base on charge of embezzlement
Read more »