Canada: conversion therapy ban fears
Guardian / Christian Today
Canadian lawmakers have passed a motion banning the practice of ‘conversion therapy’, in a rare show of unanimity in the country’s parliament.
A surprise move by the opposition Conservatives to fast-track the legislation prompted applause in the House of Commons. A handful of Liberal cabinet ministers hugged their Conservative colleagues after the vote.
Pressure mounts for gay conversion therapy ban
![Nicola Laver](/media/images/Nicola_Laver.2e16d0ba.fill-32x32.format-webp.webp)
Nicola Laver
Children and churches will be affected if a proposed LGBT conversion therapy ban in Wales goes ahead.
And a new report setting out extreme proposals for a ban in England has been backed by lawyers and politicians.
NZ: record response to conversion law
Nicola Laver, Christianity Today
New Zealand
is
the
latest
country
to
make moves banning conversion therapy.
Proposed
legislation has passed
its first
reading
in parliament, with all parties
saying they oppose such practices.
However, the National Party voted against
the bill on the basis that it risks criminalising
parents. Under the proposals, an individual
who
performs
conversion
therapy
on
someone, causing serious harm, will face a
prison sentence of up to five years.
Why the Conversion Therapy Bill could be an own-goal
The government has formally announced that it will enact a ban on conversion therapy.
The draft of the Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill currently defines conversion therapy as: ‘any practice aimed at a person or group of people which demonstrates an assumption that any sexual orientation or gender identity is inherently preferable and which has the predetermined purpose of attempting to – (a) change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, or (b) suppress a person’s expression of sexual orientation or gender identity.’