Public Consultation - Banning Conversion Practices (closes 20th March 2025) |
Introduction
Conversion Practices, which aim to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, are inherently harmful and violate the human rights of those subjected to them. Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson is proposing a Private Members’ Bill to end conversion practices in Northern Ireland, and protect individuals and society from the harm that they cause.
In developing these proposals, we have considered and learned from the approach taken in the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act 2021, proposed legislation to ban conversion practices in Scotland, as well as the approach taken in other jurisdictions.
As set out in the LGBTQI+ Strategy Expert Panel Report, the effects of conversion practices include feelings of powerlessness and extreme humiliation, feelings of shame, guilt, suicidal ideation, and PTSD. Minors are particularly vulnerable, and research has shown that it amplifies the shame and stigma so many LGBTQ+ young people already experience.
Owing to the usually private nature of conversion practices, evidence is predominantly based on self-reporting. The UK Government’s National LGBT Survey (2018) found that 9% of respondents in Northern Ireland had been offered a conversion practice but not taken it up, and a further 3% of respondents had undergone a practice.
Not all forms of conversion practices are currently covered by existing offences, for example, talking therapy aimed at suppressing or changing someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity is not likely to be prosecutable under existing law.
The proposed Bill would create two new criminal offences to address gaps in existing law:
In developing these proposals, we have considered and learned from the approach taken in the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act 2021, proposed legislation to ban conversion practices in Scotland, as well as the approach taken in other jurisdictions.
As set out in the LGBTQI+ Strategy Expert Panel Report, the effects of conversion practices include feelings of powerlessness and extreme humiliation, feelings of shame, guilt, suicidal ideation, and PTSD. Minors are particularly vulnerable, and research has shown that it amplifies the shame and stigma so many LGBTQ+ young people already experience.
Owing to the usually private nature of conversion practices, evidence is predominantly based on self-reporting. The UK Government’s National LGBT Survey (2018) found that 9% of respondents in Northern Ireland had been offered a conversion practice but not taken it up, and a further 3% of respondents had undergone a practice.
Not all forms of conversion practices are currently covered by existing offences, for example, talking therapy aimed at suppressing or changing someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity is not likely to be prosecutable under existing law.
The proposed Bill would create two new criminal offences to address gaps in existing law:
- An offence of engaging in conversion practice; and
- An offence of removing a person from Northern Ireland for the purposes of conversion practice.