Seven countries in Europe already have full bans against practices that aim to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, but now the European Parliament has added its voice to the movement.
On 29 April the European Parliament voted in support of a a ban put forward through its EU European Citizen’s Initiative Framework. The citizen led campaign was launched in 2023 and more than 1.2 million people signed the petition in support of a ban.
When the initiative reached the European parliament, 405 out of 630 parliamentarians vote favour, and the European Commission is expected to formally respond by 18 May. While not legally binding, the vote is seen as a major step in getting member countries to bring in their own legislation.
Belgium, Cyprus, France, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and Spain have already introduced legislation to ban the practice. Greece has laws which prevent minors from being treated, and Germany has a law which prevents minors undergoing conversion therapy treatments, and also prevents treatment of adults who have not consented.
Conversion therapy is a long-discredited approach which purports to change people’s sexuality of gender identity through a variety of approaches including counselling and prayer, but in some cases has also used physical assault, exorcisms, fasting and other methodologies. The practice has been rejected by both the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the European Psychiatric Association.
Western Australia remains one of the few places in Australia where the practice is legal
The practice is banned in several Australian states including Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. Queensland has a partial ban that only prohibits the practice in health care settings, while Tasmania released draft legislation in 2023 for consultation.
Western Australia currently has no legislation against the practice, but in 2022 former Premier Mark McGowan formally announced legislation would be developed. The announcement came as the government accepted a damning report into the operation of Esther House, a private facility that performed exorcisms on young women who were same-sex attracted.
In January current Attorney-General Dr Tony Buti said the legislation would finally be introduced later this year, but faith leaders have voiced their opposition to the move.
