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

Debate contribution by Mrs Pam Cameron on 28 September 2026.

MLA: Mrs Pam Cameron
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 28 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5762539

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. Has she read any of the evidence from the Gay Men's Network (GMN)? It contains some very serious concerns. In evidence that it provided to me, it states:
"We stand against this weaponisation of identity at the expense of rational debate. We are gay men, and we consider this legislation to be anti-gay. It prevents a concerned parent from helping a homosexual teenager who's experiencing distress around gender and trying to reconcile the teenager to accepting themselves. The legislation claims to oppose gay conversion by tilting the balance towards state-mandated affirmation. However, it is, in reality, homophobic."
Does the Member agree that that is highly concerning and that the Bill clearly would not achieve its stated intention?

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

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