Trying to “cure” homosexuality or impose a different gender identity through treatment sounds absurd, but in Austria it is still a reality. And it is legal, as long as it does not happen in a medical setting. A law banning these pseudo-therapies is currently being negotiated. But the ÖVP is holding it back. To make them abandon this obstruction, we need to show how many of us believe: Being queer is not an illness – the federal government must finally ban conversion practices!

Disguised as “pastoral care” or “coaching,” self-proclaimed healers try to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of queer people*. They make people believe that they are wrong and need to be “cured.” But being queer is not an illness. In Austria, 3 out of 10 queer people have already been subjected to such “conversion” attempts. Trans people in particular are affected — people whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned to them at birth.

These pseudo-therapies do not work — and they are dangerous. Many affected people develop depression and even suicidal thoughts as a result. A UN expert has compared so-called conversion therapies to torture. To us, it is clear: this is not “therapy,” but psychological abuse.

In Germany, Malta, and many other countries, conversion practices have long been banned — Austria is lagging behind. In fact, the current government already agreed on a comprehensive ban in its coalition program. But the ÖVP is still blocking it. To strengthen supporters of the ban in the negotiations, we are making it clear how many people stand with them. Help remind the government of its promise and sign the petition now: Being queer is not an illness – ban conversion practices!

Sign the #aufstehn petition now!

Being queer is not an illness – ban conversion practices!