Lubeck MarjaMARJA LUBECK (Labour): On this day in 1944 Anne Frank and her family were arrested after more than two years in their secret hiding place in Amsterdam. Now one might think what does that have to do with this Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill? Well the link is clear: the issues that got Anne Frank and her family arrested and ultimately killed are still relevant today. We need to ensure we protect one another and particularly our rangatahi against dangers of prejudice discrimination and intimidation. The Hon Grant Robertson said this at the unveiling of the Anne Frank memorial in June this year: Every single day we see elements of discrimination and hatred around us. We see the elements of exclusion of putting people outside and making them the other. So every single day it is our job to call that out to say this is not acceptable; to strive to build the world that Anne Frank talked about a world of hope of courage of beauty."Now Aotearoa New Zealand is a country that values and accepts our rainbow community without the need to be subjected to any kind of conversion therapies because firstly there's nothing wrong with anyone having a diverse sexual orientation or gender identity but also the premise that somehow this can be changed is of course absolutely untrue. There's no scientific nor medical evidence to support the use of conversion therapies and we heard my colleague Minister Verrall talk very eloquently on that. The practice is widely condemned as being against the code of ethics that's done by the medical profession and many psychological associations across the world as well as in our own country.So-called conversion therapy is not only just something that doesn't work; it's actually shown to be incredibly harmful and some of the speeches have pointed that out. Trying to convert someone by making them believe that due to their sexuality or gender identity there is something wrong with them that requires changing can cause severe adverse mental health effects. Claiming to be able to cure homosexuality as if it is a mental illness or some kind of behavioural problem and giving people false hope at a time when they are struggling about who they are is harmful and can be fatal for members of the rainbow community who are already vulnerable—and five times more at-risk of mental health issues and harm.What we need to really do is validate their identity and tell them that who they are is the right thing; everybody is free to be themselves. It brings me back to something that Kyle MacDonald said in one of the interviews I held about this topic. He talked about validation and how important that is. He said that one of the cornerstones of any psychotherapy is the idea that it's only through acceptance of ourselves the bits we like and—even more challenging—the bits we don't like comes true health.Now we like to celebrate our country's diversity but we still have to work to strengthen New Zealand society. When we talk about people who have suffered what we fail to acknowledge is that we live in a society that is infused with homophobia. So the need for love and acceptance will push anyone to try and conform to the norm. The Hon Louise Upston the previous speaker showed that she didn't read the bill because nothing in this bill shows that talking to your children falls under a definition of conversion practices and if you want to have it improved support it to select committee. But not doing so will not give us an opportunity to for example hear the survivors' stories and they will tell us the crucial things that we need to hear.There are many harrowing stories from survivors of conversion therapy and this also includes for example the story of the young woman who told the story of the time her mum had suggested a deliverance: a practice where a minister would pray over her to free her from the demonic forces. She said that "Looking back it was clear that I was desperate to have connection and love from my parents and I would do anything to get it." but when the demons didn't budge and she walked out feeling ashamed for who she was—how can that be healthy? How can we allow any kind of messaging that tells people that tells our rangatahi there's something wrong with them and they need to be fixed?One of the questions I hear most frequently is "Well is it actually really happening in New Zealand?" I first heard about conversion therapy when I watched a TVNZ Sunday documentary in 2018. The phrase in that programme was that it was surprisingly easy to find places that would offer it. I was shocked to think that in this day and age and in this country Aotearoa New Zealand diversity inclusion—it would still be happening. But it was and from many messages I've received it's clear that others felt that way as well.From Barbara "I'm a mental health registered nurse and I was shocked to hear it's still legal in New Zealand. I've seen the damage caused to people who are told what they feel is not natural and have tried to change their sexuality. It can cause irreparable harm." From Deborah "Because of its unspoken prevalence in New Zealand I have friends who struggle to find where they can find physical and/or mental health care without being subjected to attempts to change who they are. Banning the practice would make it far easier for them to access safe healthcare."Now it was a great privilege when I was asked to accept a petition to ban conversion therapy. Young Labour and Young Greens together with Rodney Rainbow collected more than 20000 signatures between them and so I became part of the whakapapa of this current bill. Here—as the Minister rightly foreshadowed—I would like to acknowledge Amanda Ashley a transgender activist from Rodney Rainbow. When we first met her petition had 1500 signatures. She would send me messages over the following weeks excited that the petition got up to 2000 signatures and then 3000 and then when the petition closed three years ago—to this date almost—7 August 2018 it had a total of 5157 signatures on it. She was so proud. All together those signatures on the petitions totalled more than 20000. Long story short as a result my member's bill went into the ballot because I had the support of my party for a bill that would outlaw conversion therapy.Thank you to then justice Minister the Hon Andrew Little for the continued support on the issue. Labour then made it part of the 2020 manifesto and what we're doing now delivers on that particular commitment. Thank you to the Hon Kris Faafoi for shepherding this bill through the House. It's an avenue to uphold the human rights of all New Zealanders to live free from discrimination and harm.So this all started with a petition and Amanda Ashley will be remembered as an important part of this whakapapa. But sadly Amanda took her own life in 2018. She will be remembered as a beautiful sensitive sweetheart of a lady and a strong activist.I've been blessed to have the privilege to be part of this kaupapa and to have received such a warm welcome from the rainbow community. And while I've got your attention I might as well clear this up: Paul I'm sorry for the initial confusion. It has now been cleared up that I'm in fact not a lesbian but despite the fact that you know that now thank you for not treating me any different and still accepting me for who I am. At no stage have I ever felt any discrimination for identifying as heterosexual.I've met many committed advocates for rainbow issues and I want to do the following shout-outs for the support they have given me. This is by no means an exhaustive list but they are people and organisations that have given me support that I've been in contact with and I've learnt from. So here we go: Mitch Keast for his relentless research and optimism; my formidable Labour rainbow caucus colleagues; members of Rainbow Labour and Paul Stevens the chair; members of the Conversion Therapy Action Group: Neihana Max Shaneel Shannon Novak Kyle MacDonald Jim Marjoram; Terri and Ted; Princes Street Labour; Rainbow Youth; Young Labour; Young Greens; Young Nats; OutLine; Aych McArdle; St Matthew-in-the-City; St Peter's on Willis; InsideOUT; and Tabby. There are many more other champions for the rainbow community—too many to mention—but one shout-out goes to Diane Sparkes in Ōrewa advocating for the rights of the rainbow community.I want to finish with a message from a survivor because survivor stories are crucial to actually try and get a glimpse of what harm intolerance exclusion discrimination and prejudice can do to a person: "I always knew my sexuality was a problem but when you see your entire community chanting hate that's terrifying. Spiritual abuse causes trauma and trauma doesn't always go away when people say sorry. Many people don't make it through conversion therapy"—it's not an unusual story. Conversion practices simply have no place in our country but we currently have no legislation that makes it an offence. Let's show the compassion and inclusiveness that are in line with New Zealand's values. This bill sends a clear message: we won't stand by and allow this behaviour to continue. It says: we love you we accept you for who you are and we will do everything in our power to protect you. I commend this bill to the House."