The Northern Ireland Assembly will today debate a private member's bill that would ban conversion practices, with a vote expected at second stage. The bill, brought by Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson, would make it a criminal offence to provide conversion therapy or engage in coercive conversion behaviour with the goal of changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It would also make it an offence to remove a person from Northern Ireland for conversion practices.

The legislation defines coercive behaviour by borrowing from the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, which includes violent or threatening behaviour, humiliating the victim, or controlling their day-to-day activities. A person convicted under the new law could face up to two years in prison. The bill also includes a clause that removes the right to claim trial by jury for offences prosecuted in the Magistrates Court, despite the potential for a sentence exceeding six months.

The bill has support from Sinn Féin and the SDLP, while unionist parties have said they will oppose it. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the legislation is vague and that Northern Ireland already has laws to deal with abuse and coercive behaviour. TUV leader Jim Allister said the bill would threaten religious freedom, stating that conversion is a core part of Christianity. He also criticised the removal of the right to jury trial. The UUP, which previously supported a motion calling for a ban in 2021, has changed its position under new leader Jon Burrows, describing the bill as excessively broad, legally uncertain and potentially damaging.

Tennyson said the bill protects LGBT people from harm while upholding freedom of speech and religion. He said Northern Ireland has lagged behind on equality for too long, and that no one should face coercion, abuse or harm because of who they are. Supporters of the bill, including The Rainbow Project and Amnesty UK, have urged MLAs to pass it. The Ban Conversion Practices Coalition called it a historic opportunity to become the first jurisdiction on these islands to pass a ban.

Opponents, including the Christian Institute, have argued that the bill exceeds the legislative competence of the Assembly and threatens civil liberties. Professional bodies such as the British Psychological Society and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have said all types of conversion practices are unethical and potentially harmful. The Assembly debate is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.