Submission to Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill

Introduction

1. The Salvation Army supports this Bill.

2. Specifically, we affirm the purposes of the Bill to:

(a) prevent harm caused by conversion practices; and 

(b) promote respectful and open discussions regarding sexuality and gender.

3. Without diminishing that support, we do seek amendment of the bill as outlined below, in order to provide greater clarity around the place of ‘respectful and open discussions regarding sexuality and gender’ in regards to:

a. Family/Whanau, and legitimate pastoral engagement;

b. The definition of ‘serious harm’;

c. The question of the Church/State relationship.