Push for Ban on Conversion Practices in Northern Ireland
A ban on sexuality and gender conversion practices may soon be introduced in Northern Ireland, though limited time remains before the next Stormont election and opposition is anticipated.
The proposed legislation, introduced to the assembly on Tuesday, includes provisions for up to a two-year jail sentence for individuals conducting conversion practices.
Matthew Hyndman, who reached the late stages of last season's BBC show Traitors, has been a vocal advocate for banning conversion practices in Northern Ireland.
At 23, while travelling on a Christian evangelical missionary ship, Hyndman came out to fellow church members but faced judgment rather than acceptance.
"They wanted me to repent in front of the entire church community, about 400 people. After that I'd have began what they called 'counselling'."
He declined and was effectively ex-communicated within two days, describing those who rejected him as "sort of like family."
Hyndman strongly supports criminalising conversion practices, citing the severe mental health impacts he has witnessed, including depression and anxiety.
"I have met people who bear the deep scars of trauma of conversion therapy - depression, anxiety, really serious mental health damage."
Opposition and Concerns
Opponents argue the bill is unnecessary and may overreach.
Peter Lynas of the Evangelical Alliance, representing various Christian churches and organisations in Northern Ireland, stated no evidence has been presented to justify the legislation.
"We believe that coercive and abusive practices should be illegal and already are, so our first question is: What is the problem this bill is trying to fix? And I'm not clear what the gaps are in the law, that require a new bill."
Lynas expressed concern that the bill could criminalise teachers, parents, therapists, pastors, and others, due to unclear definitions of coercive behaviour and conversion practices.
He added that the bill may discriminate against transgender and same-sex attracted individuals by implying they cannot consent to the support they choose.
"And it actually fundamentally discriminates against those who are trans or same sex attracted, because [from the wording of the bill] they actually can't consent to the support that they choose."
Advocates maintain the bill aims to protect LGBT people from harmful attempts to change or suppress their identity, while critics view it as limiting freedom of choice and criminalising important conversations about sexual orientation and gender.
Legislative Timeline and Challenges
The bill faces a tight timeline, with the assembly on summer recess until September and an election scheduled for May 2027.
To become law, the bill must complete all legislative stages by March.
Opposition from some unionist parties could slow or block its passage.
According to the 2018 UK-wide LGBT Survey, approximately 5% of 108,000 respondents reported being offered some form of conversion practice, and 2% had undergone it.
Five days after the Conversion Practices (Prohibition) Bill was presented to the UK Parliament, the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill was introduced in the Stormont Assembly.
Hyndman described conversion practices as "really prevalent" in religious settings.
"When I came back to the UK, I visited my old churches in Northern Ireland and Edinburgh, and both tried to send me for conversion therapy. That means three unconnected churches all put pressure on me to change my sexual orientation."
He noted that conversion practices can be particularly harmful within church communities, where individuals' social and familial lives are deeply intertwined.
"For a lot of people who belong to a church, their whole life is bound up in it: their family, friends, vocation, job, everything. The room for manipulation is massive. All of a sudden it can feel like your de facto options are: Agree to conversion therapy or lose everything you love."
Much opposition is expected from religious groups.
Lynas acknowledged that churches historically exerted undue pressure on gay individuals but stated he has not seen evidence of such practices on a significant scale in the past decade.
The bill defines an offence as committed if a victim suffers "psychological harm" from conversion practices, including fear, alarm, or distress.
Lynas criticized this definition as overly broad.
The Ban Conversion Practices Coalition, comprising groups such as The Rainbow Project, Here NI, Cara-Friend, Northern Ireland Humanists, and Christians at Pride NI, expressed satisfaction that the bill protects freedom of speech, belief, and legitimate healthcare and therapy.
Understanding Conversion Practices
Conversion practices, also known as "reparative therapy" or "gay cure therapy," aim to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, according to the British Psychological Society (BPS).
These practices often involve talking therapies and prayer, with more extreme forms also existing.
Professional bodies including the BPS, NHS England, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have declared all forms of conversion practices unethical and potentially harmful.
The bill would criminalise providing conversion therapy or engaging in coercive conversion behaviour with the intent to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
It would also prohibit removing a person from Northern Ireland to subject them to conversion practices elsewhere.
The definition of coercive behaviour is derived from the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 and includes violent or threatening behaviour, humiliation, or controlling day-to-day activities.
Political Background and Developments
The bill was introduced by Alliance Party MLA Éoin Tennyson, though Stormont has previously debated banning gay conversion practices.
In 2021, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban on all forms of conversion practices.
Regarding the party's current stance under leader Jon Burrows, a spokesperson said:
"The UUP will scrutinise Eoin's Tennyson's private members bill carefully to fully understand its scope, and to ensure that it is proportionate and does not give rise to unintended consequences."
When Sinn Féin held the communities brief, several ministers advocated banning conversion practices, with then-Minister Deirdre Hargey stating officials were drafting a bill. However, power-sharing collapse halted progress.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) member Gordon Lyons became communities minister in 2024 after devolution was restored.
The DUP has expressed firm opposition to conversion practices but argues that legitimate religious activities such as preaching, prayer, and pastoral support should be protected.
In England, the government recently published plans to legislate banning conversion practices, including potential jail time and fines for those conducting "abusive acts" aimed at changing sexual orientation or transgender identity.
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