NI conversion therapy plan criminalises opposition to ‘radical trans ideology’

Controversial plans to ban so-called “conversion practices” have been introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Under Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson’s Member’s Bill, parents and church leaders could face up to two years in prison if they are deemed to be intending “to change or suppress sexual orientation or gender identity”. This, for example, could include refusing a child’s request for puberty blockers.

The Bill, which is expected to be debated later this year, makes it a criminal offence to provide “conversion therapy” and engage in “coercive conversion behaviour”.

Ordinary conversations

The Christian Institute’s NI Policy Officer James Kennedy stated: “This proposal is a complete non-starter. Eóin Tennyson appears to have entirely missed that physical and verbal abuse are already illegal in Northern Ireland. There simply isn’t a need for a new law.”

“When the Communities Department paid academics from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University to look into the problem, they struggled for months to find participants. In the end, only ten were found, and not one of their accounts suggested legal change is needed.

“One person had experienced ‘prayer, Bible studies and teaching’ and another was discouraged from gender transition by someone in a supermarket. Are these really the sorts of things politicians want to outlaw at the behest of activists?”

He emphasised: “The reality is that a new law would see parents, pastors, clinicians and others fearful for the consequences of opposing radical transgender ideology. That fear might not be misplaced, with the Bill proposing serious criminal sanctions for ordinary conversations.”

‘Chilling effect’

When an earlier draft of Tennyson’s proposals were subject to consultation, The Christian Institute commissioned independent legal advice from Aidan O’Neill KC.

In a 70-page critique, the prominent human rights lawyer warned that the legislation would “criminalise parents who sought to exercise any form of parental authority or guidance in relation to their children as regards issues around sexuality and gender which conflicted with the official position” of the authorities.

In addition, he noted that such a law would create a “chilling effect” on the ability of religious bodies and gender critics to “teach and preach and lobby and proselytise, on any matters relating to sexuality and/or gender”.