A bill to criminalise conversion practices in Northern Ireland was introduced in the Assembly on Tuesday by Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson. The Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill would ban acts aimed at changing or suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity causing physical or psychological harm.

The proposed legislation creates three offences: providing conversion therapy, engaging in coercive conversion behaviour, and removing a person from Northern Ireland for the purpose of conversion practices. Conviction could result in a fine, up to two years imprisonment, or both.

The bill establishes thresholds to distinguish criminal conduct from legitimate healthcare and therapeutic support. It also includes measures to protect open conversations and free speech.

Introducing the bill, Mr Tennyson said conversion practices are based on the unscientific belief that LGBTQ+ people need a cure. He said survivors report lifelong impacts including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Northern Ireland currently has no specific ban on conversion practices. The Alliance Party has argued that legal loopholes leave LGBTQ+ people vulnerable to abuse and that the legislation is essential to end these practices.