Ban on conversion therapy

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

Related topics are covered in The Conversion Act means the end of gender transition.

What is conversion therapy

Conversion therapy is a collective term for practices that attempt to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Professional organisations such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization reject these practices because they have been proven harmful and are ineffective.

Internationally

Several countries have introduced a legal ban, including Malta (2016), Germany (2020, targeting minors), France (2022) and Canada (2022). The UN report by the Independent Expert on SOGI (2020) called on all states to introduce a ban; read more about this UN expert at UN resolutions on gender.

The Netherlands

In the Netherlands, a legal ban was debated in parliament and society for many years. There is now a ban: on 16 June 2026, the Senate passed the Criminalisation of Conversion Practices Act by 57 votes to 15. Existing legislation, such as the ban on assault and youth protection laws, already provided protection in specific situations. A critical explanation of the law can be found on conversiewet.nl, in the article explaining what the Conversion Act entails.

Points of debate

The debate focuses, among other things, on the definition (which forms of talk therapy fall under the ban?), its scope (minors only, or adults as well?), and its relationship to exploratory psychological care for gender dysphoria.

The Dutch bill

Members of the House of Representatives from D66, VVD, PvdA, GroenLinks, SP and the Party for the Animals submitted a private member's bill in 2022 to criminalise conversion practices. In its advisory opinion, the Council of State was critical. According to the Council, it was insufficiently clear which specific acts would fall under the ban, how it would relate to freedom of religion and adults' right to choose their own care, and how the Public Prosecution Service would have to prove the criminal offence.

Sexual orientation and gender identity

Most bans treat sexual orientation and gender identity in the same way. Critics believe this is unjustified. A therapy aimed at turning a gay young person straight has a predetermined goal and no medical basis. A practitioner who explores with a young person where their discomfort about their body comes from before medical treatment begins is doing something different. The Cass Review warned that practitioners may become reluctant to engage in ordinary, exploratory conversations for fear of being accused of conversion therapy. See gender exploratory therapy.

More countries

In addition to the countries mentioned above, New Zealand (2022), Greece (2022), Belgium (2023) and Spain (2023), among others, introduced a ban. The United Kingdom announced a ban in 2018, but no law has yet been passed there. The debate stalled over the precise question of how exploratory therapy for gender dysphoria could remain outside the scope of the ban. The same question is being considered in Northern Ireland; see the news article about the Northern Irish law against conversion practices. In some countries, an exception has been included in the law for this purpose. The situation in each country is covered under policy by country.