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 5706209

Text

I am not aware, but I am happy to take a clarification from the Bill sponsor. It is in poor taste to query such an eminent person and his opinion of the Bill. Mr O'Neill further says that the Bill would establish landmark "gender self-identification" in law in Northern Ireland and that that self-declared identity would then become the benchmark for criminal law: not just this law but criminal law. He says that anyone attempting to "change" or "suppress" that identity could face prosecution. He is particularly concerned about parents and the role that loving families, and loving parental guidance, play in our society. For me, they are the bedrock of society. He goes on to say:
"If the parents' actions constitute a course of conduct seeking to question, impede or change their children's choices on how they wish to express, explore and develop their proclaimed (hetero)sexual orientation and/or (cis)gender identity then the parental action could be judged under this proposed legislation to constitute coercive control against their daughter or son."
I was reading through some of the information provided, and, in discussing the Bill, there are real-life situations to consider. I will give one example. Suppose that a 15-year-old daughter has secretly obtained cross-sex hormones online. Her parents confiscate them, restrict her internet access and say that they will not allow her to medically transition. She becomes distressed and accuses them of conversion therapy. Clause 8 includes very wide definitions of "psychological harm", stating that it "includes fear, alarm or distress." In that instance, the parents may well fall foul of the law. They may defend themselves under the Bill's reasonableness clause, but are we content in the Assembly to have parental decisions and parenting be taken forward by the courts in Northern Ireland?
It could well do, but, of course, monitoring our teenage children— our children, rather —
is part of normal parenting. Even I end up monitoring my grown-up children. It is what we do.
We want to lovingly look after them, guide them and lead them. Perhaps I move in a strange circle of friends, but I do not know many people who want to be abusive, controlling or coercive towards their children. Generally, the home is a loving and settled environment. I know that harm can happen. I have no time for harming people, but there are issues that we must consider before we vote on the Bill. My friend was eagerly trying to intervene.

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

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