Legislation to prohibit so-called conversion practices in Northern Ireland will be brought before the Assembly today (Tuesday) by the Alliance Party.

The Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill, introduced for its first stage by Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA, seeks to deliver a landmark ban to protect LGBTQ+ people from acts intended to change or suppress who they are, and which cause physical or psychological harm.

Under the draft law, the criminal threshold would cover conduct aimed at changing or suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, whether through conversion therapy or coercive conversion behaviour, where harm is caused to the victim.

The proposal also sets out safeguards for legitimate healthcare and therapeutic support, alongside robust thresholds designed to protect open conversations and free speech. The Bill would create offences of providing conversion therapy, engaging in coercive conversion behaviour, and removing a person from Northern Ireland for the purposes of conversion practices. A conviction could result in a fine, a custodial sentence of up to two years, or both.

"So-called 'conversion' practices are deeply damaging and destructive acts that have no place in our society," said Mr Tennyson.

"They are based on the false and wholly unscientific premise that LGBTQ+ people are ill and in need of a cure, and that our identities can and should be changed or suppressed.

"The impact can be lifelong. Those with lived experience of conversion practices have reported severe mental health consequences, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. No one in our community should face harm because of who they are or who they love.

"Legal loopholes have left LGBTQ+ unprotected and vulnerable to insidious abuse to date. This legislation is essential to end these cruel and archaic practices for good."