It is time for New Zealand to end gay conversion practices | Shaneel Lal

The National party's opposition to the bill outlawing conversion therapy is anti-children - a ban would send a message to all queer people that they are valid

New Zealand's National party promised grassroots activists that they would vote in favour of banning conversion practices, but last month they were the only party to vote against a bill doing just that. We, the queer community, were blindsided by their new position and hurt by the numerous National MPs who had promised us we could trust them to be allies.

National party leader Judith Collins maintains that the party supports a ban on gay conversion practices but is concerned that the current bill could criminalise parents who counsel their children and has labelled the proposed bill anti-parents". As a survivor of conversion practice, I believe National's position is anti-children.