Queensland has become the first state in Australia to criminalise gay conversion therapy after state politicians voted on Thursday to make the practice illegal.
Under the new law, healthcare professionals could face up to 18 months in jail for attempting to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity using practices such as aversion therapy, hypnotherapy and psychoanalysis.
Addressing parliament on Thursday, Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles said conversion therapy was a "highly destructive and unethical" practice, adding "the risks are even greater" for LGBTQI+ young people.
"Being LGBTIQ is not an affliction or disease that requires medical treatment," Mr Miles said.
"No treatment or practice can change a person's sexual attraction or experience of gender."
Doctors, counsellors and psychologists who perform conversion therapy could face up to 12 months imprisonment, or 18 months if the victim is a minor.
"The ban sends a clear message to Queenslanders that conversion therapy is harmful in all contexts," said Peter Black, president of the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health.
"It is important that there are penalties for this dangerous and discredited practice," Mr Black told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
"There continues to be a need for education and further research on the harms of conversion therapies, as well as support for survivors of conversion therapies."
Moves around the world to outlaw the practice, which involves attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, have gathered pace in recent months.
Queensland Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles introduced the legislation to outlaw conversion practices. Source: AAP
In July, Israel took the first step towards an outright ban, with a bill passing the first stage of the parliamentary process.
Worldwide, several countries have partially or fully outlawed gay conversion therapy, including Malta, Brazil and Germany.
In 2018, a report by La Trobe University and the Human Rights Law Centre found conversion therapy is "pervasive" in Australian faith communities, with at least 10 organisations offering the practice in Australia and New Zealand.
Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory have also committed to banning conversion therapy.
On Thursday, the ACT introduced a bill to outlaw conversion therapy for minors, and last October, the Victorian government began public consultation on similar legislation.
LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit . also has a list of support services.
