<p>New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's centre-left government vowed on Monday to ban conversion therapy, which aims to change a person's sexual orientation, if returned to power, as widely expected, in polls on October 17.</p>.<p>The globally discredited treatment, which harms and stigmatizes members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans community has adherents in New Zealand, however.</p>.<p>A recent survey showed more than one in six respondents reported being subjected to the efforts of psychiatrists, psychologists or counsellors to stop them being trans or non-binary, Labour Party leader Tāmati Coffey said.</p>.<p>"Conversion therapy has been linked to severe adverse mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation – that’s why it will be banned under a re-elected Labour Government," Coffey said in a statement.</p>.<p>"It is a practice that causes harm and is out of place in the kind, inclusive and modern country we are."</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/new-zealand-beat-the-coronavirus-again-jacinda-ardern-897449.html" target="_blank">New Zealand beat the coronavirus again: Jacinda Ardern</a></strong></p>.<p>Ardern's Labour-led government, which is in a coalition with the Green Party and the nationalist New Zealand First Party, is widely seen as winning in the election.</p>.<p>In the past, Ardern has spoken in support of banning conversion therapy. Although brought up a Mormon, she left the church because of its conservative view on the LGBT community, and in solidarity with her gay friends.</p>.<p>Several US states, such as California, Colorado, New York and Washington have banned conversion therapy, which is sometimes performed by religious establishments and can include hypnosis and electric shocks, as a movement grows against it.</p>.<p>Neighbouring Canada re-introduced a bill this month to criminalise such efforts. </p>
<p>New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's centre-left government vowed on Monday to ban conversion therapy, which aims to change a person's sexual orientation, if returned to power, as widely expected, in polls on October 17.</p>.<p>The globally discredited treatment, which harms and stigmatizes members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans community has adherents in New Zealand, however.</p>.<p>A recent survey showed more than one in six respondents reported being subjected to the efforts of psychiatrists, psychologists or counsellors to stop them being trans or non-binary, Labour Party leader Tāmati Coffey said.</p>.<p>"Conversion therapy has been linked to severe adverse mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation – that’s why it will be banned under a re-elected Labour Government," Coffey said in a statement.</p>.<p>"It is a practice that causes harm and is out of place in the kind, inclusive and modern country we are."</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/new-zealand-beat-the-coronavirus-again-jacinda-ardern-897449.html" target="_blank">New Zealand beat the coronavirus again: Jacinda Ardern</a></strong></p>.<p>Ardern's Labour-led government, which is in a coalition with the Green Party and the nationalist New Zealand First Party, is widely seen as winning in the election.</p>.<p>In the past, Ardern has spoken in support of banning conversion therapy. Although brought up a Mormon, she left the church because of its conservative view on the LGBT community, and in solidarity with her gay friends.</p>.<p>Several US states, such as California, Colorado, New York and Washington have banned conversion therapy, which is sometimes performed by religious establishments and can include hypnosis and electric shocks, as a movement grows against it.</p>.<p>Neighbouring Canada re-introduced a bill this month to criminalise such efforts. </p>