New Zealand Passes Legislation Banning Conversion Therapy

New Zealand's parliament passed legislation on Tuesday against acts of conversion therapy, which involve forcibly changing one's gender identity or sexual orientation.

"This is a great day for rainbow communities," Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi said. He continued: "Conversion practices have no place in modern New Zealand." With nearly 107,000 public submissions on the bill, the highest number received on any legislation -- offenders are subject to up to five years of imprisonment.  The legislation also details what entails conversion therapy, and aims to protect forms of expression not intended to suppress a person's gender identity.

The movement has gained momentum globally. Canada's parliament unanimously passed a similar bill last year, whereas several U.S. states prohibit the practice to some extent.

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