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

Debate contribution by Mr Brian Kingston on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Brian Kingston
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 22 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5740863

Text

OK. I will move on. In the modern era, there is less gender stereotyping in society. Boys and girls and men and women can choose from a much wider range of interests, professions and lifestyles than would have been the case in the past. They should not be stereotyped. Society has become more accommodating and varied. Let me also clarify that I recognise that there are people who are homosexual — that that is their sexual orientation. I recognise also that there are people who experience gender dysphoria. However, if children experience that when growing up, the appropriate response should be talking therapy and counselling, not beta blockers.
Talking therapy and counselling are, ironically, denigrated in the Bill, but they are the right treatments. I will give way briefly.

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

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