Conversion practices targeting LGBTQ+ individuals have long been recognized as harmful, fraudulent, and degrading interventions that aim to change or suppress sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. These practices, often disguised as “therapies,” are forms of torture, as declared by the United Nations, and have devastating physical and psychological impacts.
To protect LGBTQ+ citizens across the European Union, a new European Citizens’ Initiative calls on the European Commission to enact a binding legal ban on conversion practices. This initiative aims to ensure that every EU member state recognizes and enforces this ban, making conversion practices illegal across all sectors.
What Are Conversion Practices?
Conversion practices encompass a range of interventions—both physical and psychological—designed to “change” someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. These include:
- Mental and physical manipulation
- Psycho-hypnotic indoctrinations
- Medical or homoeopathic treatments
- Exorcisms and other harmful treatments
These practices are based on two false beliefs: that LGBTQ+ identities are a choice or disease and that they can be “cured.” Both academic research and international policy have strongly condemned these interventions as deeply harmful.
The Call for a Binding Legal Ban
This European Citizens’ Initiative urges the European Commission to:
- Propose a Directive: Add conversion practices to the list of euro-crimes or amend existing EU equality directives to include a ban on these harmful practices.
- Promote Legislative Action: Implement a resolution calling for a widespread ban on conversion practices across all member states.
- Amend the Victims’ Rights Directive: Strengthen protections and provide support for victims of conversion practices, ensuring that their rights are upheld and that they have access to legal and psychological assistance.
Why Is This Important?
Conversion practices violate basic human rights and perpetuate discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Studies have shown that these practices cause long-term harm, including severe psychological trauma and, in some cases, physical damage.
For example:
- A 2017 UK National LGBT Survey revealed that 5% of respondents had been offered conversion therapy, with 2% having undergone it.
- In Sweden, a 2022 report found that 16% of LGBTQ+ youth felt pressured to change their identity, and 5% had faced threats or harm.
These numbers highlight the need for stronger protections across Europe to prevent further harm to LGBTQ+ citizens.
Key Recommendations for Lawmakers
The 2023 report by the LIBE committee offers several key recommendations for creating effective laws to ban conversion practices:
- Clear Definitions: Laws should clearly define conversion practices and cover all forms, regardless of setting or perpetrator.
- Comprehensive Prohibition: Ban all forms of conversion practices, including offering, advertising, or performing them.
- Severe Penalties: Enforce harsh penalties for those involved in conversion practices, particularly health professionals and those targeting vulnerable individuals.
- Victim Support: Ensure victims have access to justice, support services, and avenues for redress.
These recommendations emphasize the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, such as children and young people, who are often the primary targets of conversion practices.
A United Front for LGBTQ+ Rights
The fight against conversion practices is part of a broader push to promote equality and human rights across the EU. This initiative aligns with efforts to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and to protect LGBTQ+ citizens from harmful practices.
By proposing a binding EU-wide ban, this initiative seeks to ensure that all member states take action, regardless of their current stance on conversion practices.
If you want to know more and take action, please visit the initiative page
