AMA voices its support to ban LGBTQIA+ conversion therapy practices

The AMA's support for banning the controversial practice comes as the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute reaches the final stages of its report into the use of conversion therapy.

READ MORE: Career opportunities curated for outgoing QVMAG curator

AMA president Omar Khorshid said currently only Victoria, the ACT and Queensland had legislation in place to ban conversion therapy.

"Conversion practices are a blatant example of the discrimination faced by LGBTQIA+ people in Australia and have no place in our society," Dr Khorshid said.

"Being LGBTQIA+ is normal, healthy, and representative of the diversity in human sexuality, gender identity, and sex characteristics."

Equality Tasmanian spokesman Rodney Croome AM said the AMA's support for banning conversion therapy highlighted the adverse mental health impact of the practice.

"Recent research from La Trobe University shows young Tasmanian LGBTQIA+ survivors of conversion therapy practices are three to four times more likely to suffer PTSD and attempt suicide," Mr Croome said.

"The AMA's message is effectively, this practice kills young people and must stop now."

READ MORE: Transplant patient calls for new donors

Additionally, the AMA's position statement called for greater protection for intersex people, including ceasing to give patients surgical intervention without their prior and informed consent, unless necessary to avoid serious and irreparable harm.

Mr Croome said he welcomed the AMA's opposition to "unnecessary medical interventions on children with with variations of sex characteristics".

"Protecting intersex children from harmful medical procedures has already been recommended by the TLRI and with the AMA's support, hopefully the state government will give this high priority in the new year," he said.

Dr Khorshid said the medical profession should "affirm, support and provide care for LGBTQIA+ people".

What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: