Earlier this month, the Irish Government unveiled its Spring 2026 Programme. The legislative programme contains a commitment to “advance legislation to ban conversion practices”. This is the exact same wording that appeared in the Spring 2025 Programme for Government. Efforts to legislate for a ban date back to April 2018, when a Private Member’s Bill was brought… Continue reading New Irish Govt Programme, same ‘conversion therapy’ promise
Category: Latest IE
Plans to outlaw conversion therapy – what to expect in 2026?
As another year of campaigning draws to a close, here’s a rundown of where plans for a ‘conversion therapy’ law stand across the UK and Ireland, and what we can expect in 2026. England and Wales The Westminster Government continues to stand by its manifesto pledge to publish a draft conversion practices Bill for England… Continue reading Plans to outlaw conversion therapy – what to expect in 2026?
Irish Labour demands ‘trans-inclusive conversion therapy ban’
The Irish Labour Party has tabled a motion in the Dáil calling for radical trans healthcare across Ireland. In addition to demands for increased access to sex-change surgery and gender-affirming care to be provided by GPs, the party is calling for ‘a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy’. The party holds eleven of the 174 seats… Continue reading Irish Labour demands ‘trans-inclusive conversion therapy ban’
FOI responses debunk claims of ‘conversion therapy’ problem in Northern Ireland
Despite LGBT activist claims of widespread abuse, Northern Ireland’s healthcare system has received virtually no complaints about so-called ‘conversion therapy’, newly released FOI data reveals. A new set of Freedom of Information (FOI) responses has dealt a major blow to the campaign for a law. All but one of Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care… Continue reading FOI responses debunk claims of ‘conversion therapy’ problem in Northern Ireland
The latest ‘Orwellian’ conversion therapy law
By James Kennedy The term ‘Orwellian’ is overused. A year ago, I wrote on the subject in an article for Parliament News. I said that if people were really interested in Orwell, they wouldn’t fall for the rhetoric on ‘conversion therapy’: “Everyone pretends they have read Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four”, I opened, “But they haven’t; I’m… Continue reading The latest ‘Orwellian’ conversion therapy law
Irish Govt commits to ‘advancing’ conversion therapy legislation
The new Irish Government has said it will “Advance legislation to ban conversion practices” in its Programme for Government. The draft Programme was agreed last week, and officially endorsed by Fianna Fáil on Sunday, which has partnered with Fine Gael and several independent TDs to form the new coalition Government. Controversial legislation on ‘conversion therapy’… Continue reading Irish Govt commits to ‘advancing’ conversion therapy legislation
Conversion therapy plans – what will happen in 2025?
It’s been a busy year for the campaign. We’ve had Private Members’ Bills, amendments, consultations, and of course changes of Governments. As we approach the end of 2024, here’s an overview of where legislation is at across the UK and Ireland. England and Wales The Westminster Government remains committed to bringing forward a draft ‘conversion… Continue reading Conversion therapy plans – what will happen in 2025?
Conversion therapy law could harm young women and girls: UN expert
by James Kennedy A new law on conversion therapy could harm young women and girls, warns a UN expert. The Telegraph interviewed Reem Alsalem, who is the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls. She explained that a conversion therapy law could promote the very abuse it is supposed to prevent. Young women… Continue reading Conversion therapy law could harm young women and girls: UN expert
Welsh Govt pays child sex offender to conduct ‘conversion therapy’ research
By James Kennedy The Welsh Government commissioned research into ‘conversion therapy’ from a company whose sole director was previously imprisoned for sexual offences against a minor. Welsh news outlet Nation Cymru shared the revelations earlier this week in excruciating detail. James Mullen was working as a teacher in 2013 when he was “found ‘writhing’ on… Continue reading Welsh Govt pays child sex offender to conduct ‘conversion therapy’ research
Swedish Govt lawyers advise against ‘conversion therapy’ law
Claims of abuse against LGBT people are regularly cited as reasons for new laws on conversion therapy. However, in Ireland, verbal and physical abuse is already criminalised, whoever it is carried out against. As the campaign in Ireland rumbles on, not one example has yet been found of a practice that ought to be outlawed… Continue reading Swedish Govt lawyers advise against ‘conversion therapy’ law