Northern Ireland Conversion Practices Bill
Northern Ireland, United KingdomHigh threat- Introduced
- Second Stage agreed
- Passed Assembly
- Royal Assent
Stage 1 of 4: Introduced
Criminal offences covering conversion practices raise speech concerns through broad definitions of therapy and psychological harm.
Latest update
Committee for Communities agreed to launch a call for evidence ahead of Second Stage
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This bill is still moving, so there's still time to push back.
Contact LawmakersWhat it does
The bill would criminalise therapy or coercive behaviour intended to change or suppress sexual orientation or gender identity and causing physical or psychological harm. Therapy includes talking, counselling and coaching; psychological harm includes fear, alarm or distress. Consent is not a defence, but reasonable conduct can be. There are protections for undirected exploration and expressions of belief without direction toward a particular orientation or identity, plus an exemption for specified regulated professionals complying with their standards. Conviction on indictment can bring up to two years’ imprisonment. It is not law.
What’s at stake
Preventing coercion and abuse is a legitimate aim. But including conversational practices and distress within criminal offences risks chilling voluntary counselling and discussion. The intent and harm requirements and explicit safeguards narrow the reach: this is not a blanket ban on expressing an opinion.
Our take
We oppose the bill as drafted because its breadth creates avoidable uncertainty for speech and consensual conversations. Its safeguards limit the offences but do not remove that concern. Protection against abusive conduct should be tightly drawn so that people can seek support and discuss contested ideas without fearing criminal liability.
Timeline
Committee for Communities call for evidence closesUpcoming
Committee for Communities agreed to launch a call for evidence ahead of Second StageLatest
Introduced in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Sponsor
Eóin Tennyson (Alliance Party)
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