The origins of “Providing safety for LGBTQA People of Faith“, a guide for Baptists to the 2022 Victorian Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act has now been detailed to The Other Cheek by a spokesperson for the Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV).
“The VEOHRC (Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission) did consult with the BUV in producing its guide,” Rev David Devine, Head of Church Health & Capacity Building for the BUV tells The Other Cheek. He provided a summary timeline of the back and forwards between the two organisations. The dot points are his summary in full.
- When the bill was introduced to the Victorian Parliament towards the end of 2020, the BUV joined with various other denominations and faith organisations in raising questions and concerns about it with Parliamentarians.
- During the first half of 2021, the BUV was aware of uncertainties and anxiety among some churches about the possible implications of the bill. Since the VEOHRC would be responsible for the implementation of this legislation, the BUV contacted the VEOHRC to request an information session for Pastors to clarify various matters. In response, the VEOHRC provided two online seminars that included responses to various questions that had been raised.
- The Act came into effect in February 2022. Towards the end of that year, the VEOHRC approached the BUV saying that as part of its educational role, the Commission would be developing resources about the Act for various faith and other groups and asked if Baptists might be one of the initial groups, given our earlier approach to the Commission. The VEOHRC was keen to ensure that its resource would use language and concepts relevant to a Baptist context. The BUV accepted this invitation to be consulted in the production of the Commission’s document.
- In the course of the VEOHRC producing its guide, it has met with staff from the BUV Support Hub. I understand that some Pastors representing a range of views on these matters have also had conversations with VEOHRC staff. I would emphasise that in this consultation process the point was not to debate the content of the legislation (which has been enacted by Parliament), but to ensure the guide about application of the Act is relevant to the issues, language and concepts found in Baptist contexts.
- Following the release of its guide, the VEOHRC has run two seminars for BUV Pastors, providing an opportunity to discuss the Act and the Commission’s guide. I have heard from some Pastors who have attended one of these Commission-run seminars, that these have been helpful and well-run seminars, and that they have appreciated the opportunity to understand the Act more fully.
Devine told The Other Cheek, “Thank you for acknowledging in your piece that this is the Commission’s document and that it explicitly does not represent the doctrine, opinions, advice, or policies of the BUV.” In turn this writer is grateful to the BUV for a rapid response to my seeking further information.
The BUV and VEOHRC continue to interact, with another seminar advertised in the latest email to pastors and leaders.
“Understanding the Change or Suppression Practices Prohibition Act – Last seminar Thu, 13 Mar 2025, 9am – 1pm
” The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is presenting a seminar specifically for Baptists on the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021.
“Participants that have attended one of the previous seminar dates, have expressed that this is a helpful and well run seminar, and have appreciated the opportunity to more fully understand the Act and their responsibilities. Register here The VEOHRC has developed a Providing Safety for LGBTQA People of Faith guide with and for faith leaders in Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV) churches. This booklet produced by the Commission, has been developed to help pastors, small group leaders, youth leaders, volunteer helpers and other Baptists to better understand the Victorian law, the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act (2021). CLICK HERE to download the guide and access other useful resources.”
It appears that a good-faith effort to provide knowledge of the law is present in both the BUV and VEOHRC. But in reading of the case study approach in “Providing safety for LGBTQA People of Faith” a pattern emerges of pastors becoming “better informed” and therefore behaving in the way the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act (2021) is designed to bring about. A case study of a pastor not complying with the law or partially complying with it is not presented.
“Providing safety for LGBTQA People of Faith” and the seminars seek to influence Baptist practice. The overall impression is that reading up on the issues involved in the law will convince everyone – well, every pastor in a case study, anyway. It is reasonable for the VEOHRC to show how their legislation can be complied with and also responsible for the BUV to pass that information to its pastors. But, what might be missing is room for discussion on the merit of the 2022 law. That could be hard with VEOHRC in the room. The Other Cheek still has questions to ask. Some pastors are upset because the guide gives the VEOHRC too much say in the BUV’s response to the CSP Act.
One of these is this: Here’s a scenario/case study that might have been raised at seminars with VEOHRC: suppose a candidate for a pastor’s position is an LGBTQIA person. Can a Baptist church refuse to hire them on the basis of their sexuality? Suppose a pastor comes out as gay. Can a Baptist church dismiss them on the basis of their sexuality?
The Other Cheek put this to Rev David Devine, but he said it called for a legal opinion. ” I am not qualified to provide legal advice, so you will understand that I will refrain from answering your questions.”
Image from “Providing safety for LGBTQA People of Faith“