Adelaide conversion survivor Jace Reh talks on new SA laws after passing parliament

A trans man and conversion survivor who says he tried to take his own life 60 times has cautiously welcomed SA’s new laws on the controversial practice.

A conversion practice survivor who says a church leader told him to “just stop thinking your gay thoughts” has cautiously welcomed the new law banning LGBTQIA+ conversion practice, which narrowly passed the state’s upper house last week.

Trans man Jace Reh, 24, from Adelaide, said the legislation “was far from perfect” but would help the high number of LGBTQIA+ people who faced conversion practices in religious, education or community facilities and institutions.

Conversion practices seek to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Conversion Practices Prohibition Act now means perpetrators who are found to cause serious harm to their victim will face up to five years in jail.

Adelaide trans man Jace Reh. Picture: Matt Loxton

Individuals who either try to take – or arrange to have someone taken – from the state for this purpose could face up to three years in jail, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.

In addition to these criminal penalties, the law offers survivors a civil pathway through the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Mr Reh says at age 14, he worked up the courage to confide in a church leader that he kept thinking about women and felt that he was not meant to be a girl.

“And I remember him turning around to me and saying ‘if you just stop thinking your gay thoughts, God will forgive you’.”

Mr Reh said that he was shamed for being transgender and queer throughout his six years at a religious school and that still those negative voices “run around” in his head.

SA Liberal MP Michelle Lensink was the only Liberal in the upper house to vote in favour of the bill after the party allowed for a conscience vote. Picture: Instagram

Late on Tuesday, September 24, SA’s upper house passed the bill 13 votes to 8 – with all but one of the Legislative Council’s Liberal MPs – Michelle Lensink – voting against it.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher told The Advertiser that conversion practices could cause serious harm.

Mr Reh said that through his role at Thorne Harbour Health he had seen more than 200 LGBTQIA+ people aged from 16-70 in just over a year.

“I can confidently say over a third of these people have had experiences of conversion practices, whether in a religious institution, education facilities or in the wider community,” he said.

He said he himself had tried to kill himself because of the shame he came to feel about his sexuality and gender identity.

“I have made attempts on my life over 60 times,” Mr Reh said.

“I stand with my community today to say ‘we did it, and the fight is not over’.”