---
title: "Victory! Northern Ireland Conversion Practices Ban Bill passes key vote"
date: "2026-09-28T21:50:51+01:00"
modified: "2026-09-28T21:50:55+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/09/28/victory-northern-ireland-conversion-practices-ban-bill-passes-key-vote/"
post_id: 197774
categories: ["News", "Northern Ireland"]
---

# Victory! Northern Ireland Conversion Practices Ban Bill passes key vote

![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Ban-Conversion-practices-NI.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&ssl=1)The Northern Ireland Assembly has voted to pass the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill at Second Stage. MLAs voted 46 in favour and 29 against, with 15 abstentions. Northern Ireland Humanists has welcomed this important step towards banning harmful attempts to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

[The Private Member’s Bill](https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/legislation/2022-2027-mandate/primary-legislation-bills-22-27-mandate/conversion-practices-criminalisation-bill/), introduced by Alliance Party Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA, will now proceed to detailed scrutiny. Northern Ireland Humanists is calling for comprehensive protection for all LGBT+ people, including those subjected to conversion practices in religious settings.

[Research from Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast](https://www.rainbow-project.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Conversion-Practices-Research-Report.pdf?) described LGBT people being pressured to change who they are, fearing they could lose their family, friends, or faith community if they refused. They spoke of feeling ashamed and alone, with the effects lasting long afterwards. The [Independent Forensic Expert Group](https://irct.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IFEG-Statement-Conversion-Therapy.pdf) has warned that even talking-based conversion practices can cause ‘intense psychological pain and suffering’.

Northern Ireland Humanists has long called for a ban on conversion practices. In June 2024, we welcomed the Northern Ireland Assembly passing a [symbolic motion](https://humanists.uk/2024/06/06/northern-ireland-passes-symbolic-motion-to-ban-conversion-therapy/) to ban conversion practices. In December 2024, we responded to the Alliance Party’s [consultation on this Bill](https://assets.nationbuilder.com/allianceparty/pages/28031/attachments/original/1761146460/Banning_Conversion_Practices_Summary_Report.pdf?1761146460), calling for a comprehensive ban on conversion practices.

#### **Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented:**

> ‘Today’s vote is a great victory for the rights of LGBT+ people in Northern Ireland, and a welcome step towards ending practices that tell LGBT+ people they need to be “fixed”. The evidence from Northern Ireland shows the harm these practices cause and why protection is urgently needed.
> 
> ‘We wholeheartedly thank the MLAs who supported the Bill. As it moves to detailed scrutiny, we will continue to press for a comprehensive ban, without loopholes that allow conversion practices to continue under the guise of prayer or pastoral support. Everyone deserves to live with dignity, free from attempts to change who they are.’

#### Notes

Northern Ireland Humanists, a founding member of the Ban Conversion Practices NI coalition, has long campaigned for a ban and called for protection covering both sexual orientation and gender identity in its response to the consultation on the Bill.

For further comment or information, media should contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at <boyd@humanists.uk> or phone 07918 975795.

Media [can use these photos](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KYJm2YNGS9BjRujHzQcxrlqkZvgleTAY?usp=drive_link), attributed to ‘Humanists UK’

Read more about [our work to ban conversion practices](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/policy-unit/banning-conversion-practices/).

Read our response to the [draft Bill in England and Wales](https://humanists.uk/2026/06/25/at-last-conversion-practices-ban-draft-bill-published/).

Read more about [LGBT+ Humanists](https://humanists.uk/community/lgbt-humanists/).

Northern Ireland Humanists is part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.