Global Equality Caucus welcomes Dutch parliament move to ban ‘conversion therapy’

A bill to prohibit LGBT+ ‘conversion therapy’ has been sponsored by two of the governing parties in the Netherlands, in news welcomed by the Global Equality Caucus.

D66 and VVD, member parties of the governing coalition, made the parliamentary proposal on Monday (14 February). The bill aims to ban practices intended to change or suppress somebody’s sexual orientation or gender identity, punishable with either a 22,500 euro fine or a prison sentence of one year.

The proposed law is supported by opposition parties PvdA, GroenLinks, SP and the Partij voor de Dieren, giving the proposal a majority in both chambers of the Dutch parliament.

Motions have previously been made in the Dutch parliament in 2019 and 2021 urging the government to legislate for a ban on conversion therapies, but these did not proceed.

Before the law is officially discussed in parliament, it will go to the Council of State, which has an advisory role in the Dutch legislative system.

D66 Senator and member of the Caucus Steering Committee Boris Dittrich said:

“Finally, it is going to happen! In the Netherlands the parliament will discuss a legal ban on conversion therapy. This is fantastic news for all our youth, that was forced to undergo such ‘treatment’. As legislators we need to set a standard: this practice is unacceptable and goes against the rights of the child.”

Senator Boris Dittrich (NL) expresses support for the Ban Conversion Therapy Now! campaign.

Aron le Fèvre, Caucus Deputy Director and Dutch National said:

“I am happy to see my country move into the right direction. After a period of immense progress in the 1990s and early 2000s, becoming the first country to allow same sex marriage in in 2001, we came to a near standstill, falling behind other countries in Europe. Standstill means decline and we should not let that happen.” 

Conversion therapy bans now exist nationwide in seven countries, including Canada, France and New Zealand. The Caucus is hopeful many others will follow their lead and we will work together closely with members and civil society to support further progress.

The Global Equality Caucus is currently rallying legislators to express their support for efforts to ban conversion therapy around the world. Ban Conversion Therapy Now! asks parliamentarians and elected officials to sign a pledge supporting the campaign. Members of the public can also use this lobbying tool to pressure their representatives into action.