Debate contribution: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 15 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Gordon Lyons
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 15 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5705714

Text

I very much appreciate the Member giving way. Not to go back to what we were discussing a few moments ago, but that is why definitions are so important, and should absolutely be part of the debate. What we say here does matter, and it is important that we talk about definitions. I think that the Member has said twice now that the offence would be taking place or someone could be accused of its taking place only within a therapeutic setting, but that is absolutely not what the Bill says. Look at the tests that need to be engaged that the Member himself set out. There needs to be the instruction, the intent to suppress — "suppress" can be defined in many ways — and there needs to be harm suffered, and that only needs to be the person saying that they suffered harm, and that could be five or 10 years later. I have read the whole Bill, and I do understand how it all connects together, and there is nothing in the Bill that states that legitimate conversations between individuals or between a parent and a child are ruled out. It is simply not there.
Will the Member give way?

203 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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