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

Debate contribution by Mrs Diane Dodds on 15 September 2026.

MLA: Mrs Diane Dodds
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 15 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5705834

Text

Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. The issue that is before us today is sensitive and emotive. Like you, I hope that the Bill can be discussed with genuine respect and, indeed, kindness. However, where I do disagree —. It is important that eminent KCs have described this legislation as being poorly defined and said that it introduces new concepts in law — particularly, for the first time in the United Kingdom, in relation to gender identity. Therefore, this Bill deserves our scrutiny. More than that, it demands our scrutiny. Curtailing or not allowing people to speak on particular aspects of the Bill is deeply damaging to this House. I make it absolutely clear that no one on this side of the House condones mentally or physically abusive behaviour. We have criminal law that deals with coercion and abuse and some of the other issues that have been raised today. That should be used; it is important that it is used. I note that the Bill sponsor has indicated that there are some gaps in the criminal law that could be amended in order to deal with criminal, violent and abusive behaviour that should not be committed against anyone in our society. We need to start with the title of the Bill, which is very important. The title tells us that it is a Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill. That is the nature of what it sets out to do. It sets out to criminalise people for certain practices or behaviours, even though those practices and behaviours are not clearly defined in the Bill or in existing law. As we start to look at the Bill, remember that it is not about cosy consensus, nor is it about trying to get people to change their ways. It is about criminalisation, and that is very important. That is what makes it so important for us to consider the Bill line by line before we make a decision on it. The Bill sponsor has said that it is not his intent to criminalise expression of moral or religious belief. He argues that freedom of speech is protected in the Bill. However, I argue that an important element of freedom of speech is the way in which an individual can express what they believe in an attempt to influence others. There is no point in debate, democracy —
— I will in a moment — and scrutiny if we are not able to put forward a point of view in order to persuade and to have a particular viewpoint expressed. It is quite natural for us to express our views in the hope that others might agree and align with our views. I am therefore concerned about freedom of expression in the Bill, particularly where it relates to parents, teachers, ministers, pastors and youth leaders.
We can also argue that not only is freedom of speech about being able to persuade and lead people to a particular viewpoint but that, in fact, for the Churches, in particular, belief is not just about a nice feeling inside. It is directive: it urges us to live and be a particular way.

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

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