Conversion therapy practices must stop immediately | Letters to the editor

I am a survivor of sexual orientation and gender identity conversion practices undertaken in several states including Tasmania. I wasn't forced into them, electrocuted, or held against my will, however, I still suffer the psychological scars.

As a child in a faith community, I was exposed to the message that LGBT+ people were sexually and relationally broken.

As a young teen, I already believed that I was sick and in need of healing.

RELATED: Conversion practice 'balance' needed: Attorney-General

As I got older my life revolved around suppressing my sexuality.

I tried to starve the homosexuality out by removing every possible temptation.

I became uncomfortable with physical touch, and even my own body caused me anxiety as I tried to stop myself experiencing physical sensations which I had come to see as somehow contributing to my sexual orientation. I asked God repeatedly to either heal or kill me.

Recent survivors also report that their engagement with conversion practices began with hearing claims about the inherent dysfunction of their LGBT+ identity.

This grew into hatred of who they are, the internalised message of 'brokenness' causing severe, long-term damage.

Faith leaders must understand: the absence of physical forms of torture does not mean that people are not being hurt.

Modern SOGI conversion practices and the ideology underpinning them are devastatingly harmful. They must be stopped.

HEALTH workers are required to show evidence of first dose booking by October 31.

If it is so important, one might expect the date to be next week.

Such a long lead time gives the impression that no one is 'fair dinkum' about the seriousness of the matter.

KUDOS to Peter Gutwein for publicly acknowledging his health situation was related to overwork and associated stress.

Not only has he made it public knowledge, but has acted upon it and made necessary changes. I expect so many would have hidden this fact, not wanting to appear they lacked the strength needed for their position.

READ MORE: Calls grow for Tasmanian vaccine passport

However, Mr Gutwein showed great strength, and leadership, by being open and sharing the truth. For this, he has gained my respect, and view him as a role model for anyone, particularly the many high profile members of the community experiencing mental health issues.

AGAIN Launceston Jewish people who are disabled, elderly, housebound, or in a home can not attend Jewish New Year Services or community meals and activities because there is no disabled access to either Launceston Synagogue, Chabad House or the usual venue for community meals, the Colonial Hotel. Hope this will be rectified.

FOR all anti-vaccination people to wake up, to consider the health of themselves, their family, friends and community.

COVID-19 is taking the lives of children and people of all ages worldwide and adding to the already hectic workload of all our health professionals and volunteers.

REGARDING the excellent "Taking Temperature on State Border reopening"' article by Ruth Forrest (The Examiner, September 5), it was refreshing to see a balanced and sensible view from a politician and I couldn't agree more.

I agree that this can't go on forever and there are serious business and economic issues, but the 70 to 80 per cent plan is arrogant in assuming it's 'safe' with so many unknowns at this point and different state circumstances as mentioned. Let's also be honest that 80 per cent of eligible adults is well below 80 per cent of Australians.

The only extra point is let's get the over 60s a choice of vaccine by now (as recommended by ATAGI).

I am below this age and luckily vaccinated with Pfizer, but my Mum's not. This age bracket is high risk and shortchanged on lack of any vaccine choice, this needs fixing ASAP if the plan is to open up soon.

THE electorate promised to never forget the 40 per cent pay rise taken by parliamentarians who promised efficiency dividends for our state, however, the current model is proving difficult to provide satisfactory governance.

Perhaps a compromise to review both houses in the Tasmanian parliament to create 31 seats in the House of Assembly and nine seats in the Legislative Council could be amenable.

I'M surprised that in Tasmania lobbyists and property developers can hold offices in and vote on committees of political parties.

Who can't see the problem? Who benefits from allowing the situation to continue?

QUOTE from Benjamin Franklin: "Definition of democracy is two wolves and a lamb discussing what's for lunch".