A Private Members’ Bill to ban conversion practices has been introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly by Alliance Party Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA. Northern Ireland Humanists welcomes the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill and looks forward to working with MLAs to support its passage. It hopes the legislation will deliver comprehensive protection for all LGBT+ people, without loopholes for religion or so-called ‘consent’.
Conversion practices, sometimes so-called ‘conversion therapy’, are discredited and harmful practices that have a predetermined purpose to change, suppress, or ‘cure’ a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity because of prejudiced assumptions that a particular sexual orientation or gender identity is better than any others. They can include pseudo-psychological interventions, coercive counselling, forced prayer, exorcisms, and other forms of pressure or abuse, often directed at young and vulnerable people.
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 to ban conversion practices. In December 2024, we responded to the Alliance Party’s consultation on this Bill, calling for a comprehensive ban on conversion practices, including ones aimed at changing a person’s sexuality or gender identity, and we warned against carve-outs or exemptions for religious practices and practices in religious settings.
Last week, Humanists UK celebrated the publication of the long-awaited draft Bill to ban conversion practices in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented:
‘This is an incredibly positive step forward for Northern Ireland and this Bill is very welcome. The law must finally reflect the reality that being LGBT+ is not something to be cured. LGBT+ people here have too often been put under pressure by families, churches, and communities to deny who they are, sometimes in the name of care or faith. So-called “conversion practices” cause lifelong trauma and harm and have no place in our society.
‘A ban on conversion practices must be clear, comprehensive, and enforceable. It must protect both gay and trans people, and it must not allow religious settings to become a loophole. No one should be subjected to shame, coercion, or abuse because of who they are or who they love. We look forward to working with MLAs to make this the best bill it can be’
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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, attributed to ‘Humanists UK’
Read more about our work to ban conversion practices.
Read our response to the draft Bill in England and Wales.
Read more about 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.