Motion to ban gay conversion therapy passed by MLAs
Last updated 20th Apr 2021
An Assembly motion calling on Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to introduce a ban on gay conversion therapy in Northern Ireland before the end of the current mandate has been passed.
Conversion therapy refers to treatment aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Ulster Unionist motion stated it was "fundamentally wrong to view our LGBTQ community as requiring a fix or cure."
A DUP amendment supported prohibition of the practice but sought to include protections for "legitimate religious activities such as preaching, prayer and pastoral support'', insisting those do not constitute conversion therapy.
The amendment faced criticism from political rivals for removing the line from the original motion stating that it was wrong to view the LGBTQ community as requiring a "fix or cure''.
The amendment was defeated 59 votes to 28.
The substantive motion passed 59 votes to 24.
Following the Assembly vote, Aisling Twomey, Policy & Advocacy Manager at The Rainbow Project, a member of the Ban Conversion Therapy NI campaign said:
"The outcome of today’s Assembly debate is a positive one and we’re pleased that such cross-party support exists to ban conversion therapy. We now need to see work get underway at pace to bring forward legislation before the end of the current Assembly term to ensure conversion practices are banned without delay. We look forward to working with the Minister to deliver on today’s mandate from the Assembly in a fair and robust way."
The UK's largest evangelical body has warned that a widespread ban of gay conversion therapy could end up criminalising church leaders.
The Evangelical Alliance, which represents 3,500 churches, says such a ban could restrict religious freedom.