Media Release 10 August 2021
Family First NZ says that despite continuous attempts by the supporters of the proposed ‘conversion therapy’ ban to suppress the real effects of the proposed law on parents and families, the Prime Minister has admitted that it will criminalise parents – an effect of the bill which even the Ministry of Justice and Crown Law advice had already warned the Government about.
Jacinda Ardern, after explaining exactly how a parent could be criminalised, then tries to suggest it’s an ‘unlikely scenario’. With the greatest of respect to the Prime Minister, whether it’s likely or unlikely in someone’s view is irrelevant. It’s what the law actually says that matters – and the warning has already been made by the Ministry of Justice well before the 1st Reading.
And unfortunately, the scenario is becoming increasingly likely as children are being indoctrinated with the ideology that you can ‘choose your own gender’.
The Ministry of Justice’s own analysis of the proposed law sent a clear warning: “It would be a criminal offence for parents, or other members of a family, to attempt to change or suppress the sexual orientation, gender identity or expression of children within the family”. Crown Law advice also refers to this “chilling” effect on expressions of opinion within families & whanau.
Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi was unwilling to answer the simple question: Is it ok or a parent to say no to hormone blockers for a 12 year old who wants to change their gender under the proposed law. And despite initial denial of the true effect of the bill, Auckland Pride Director Max Tweedie ultimately admitted that obviously they should be criminalised, and why wouldn’t we want them criminalised.
Under the proposed law, parents could be criminalised and liable to three (and possibly even five) years imprisonment simply for affirming that their sons are boys and their daughters are girls. And not only can they be charged for a crime, but complaints can also be made to the Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Review Tribunal – which will also have a chilling effect.
A mum who encourages and helps her 12-year-old daughter to accept the body she was born with, rather than being placed on dangerous puberty blockers and wearing chest binders, could be committing a criminal offence. A parent who promotes biological sex could be criminalised, but an activist who indoctrinates young children with the concept of ‘gender fluidity’ and ‘third gender’ will be celebrated.
In other words, a ban would criminalise loving parents who wish to protect their child from the physical, emotional, and psychological harm caused by gender dysphoria. The proposed ‘conversion therapy’ ban will be yet another attack on parents’ rights.
This is not loving or compassionate towards children. Numerous reviews show the majority of children who are confused about their gender also suffer from diagnosed mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, and the overwhelming majority of teenagers who struggle with their sex as a boy or girl come to accept their sex by adulthood.
A nationwide poll at the beginning of this year found 81% said that it should not be a crime for a parent to affirm to their daughter that she’s a girl or to their son that he’s a boy.
To criminalise parents who genuinely care for their children should certainly not be a crime warranting up to five years in jail.