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Ban on conversion therapy

Conversion therapy is a collective term for practices that attempt to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

What is conversion therapy

Conversion therapy is a collective term for practices that attempt to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. Professional associations such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization reject these practices because of proven harm and lack of effectiveness.

International

Several countries have a legal ban, including Malta (2016), Germany (2020, aimed at minors), France (2022) and Canada (2022). The UN report of the Independent Expert on SOGI (2020) called on all states to introduce a ban.

The Netherlands

In the Netherlands there has been parliamentary and social discussion about a legal ban for years. A bill is in preparation; existing legislation (such as the ban on abuse and youth legislation) already offers protection in specific situations.

Points of discussion

The debate focuses, among other things, on the definition (which talking therapies fall under the ban?), the scope (only minors or also adults?), and the relationship with exploratory psychological care for gender dysphoria.