Religious groups urge Northern Ireland to reject conversion therapy ban

Leaders from Anglican Mainstream and the Marriage, Sex and Culture Group have issued an open letter calling on Northern Ireland politicians to oppose a proposed bill intended to criminalize conversion therapy. The signatories, Canon Dr. Chris Sugden and Dr. Lisa Nolland, argue that existing legislation already provides sufficient protection against abusive practices and challenge proponents to provide evidence of cases not covered by current law.

The letter criticizes the bill’s reliance on a 2024 study based on ten interviews, noting that the study's authors acknowledged its findings could not be generalized. Additionally, the authors cite Freedom of Information requests indicating that regional health trusts have received minimal complaints regarding the practice. Concerns were raised that the legislation lacks protections for parents and religious leaders, potentially criminalizing those who decline to affirm a child or parishioner's gender identity or sexuality. While the bill includes safeguards for certain registered medical and pharmaceutical professionals, the letter argues it creates an imbalance by failing to extend similar protections to clergy and families.