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

Debate contribution by Ms Sian Mulholland on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Ms Sian Mulholland
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 22 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5741039

Text

I support the Bill because it seeks to address practices that are discredited, damaging and fundamentally incompatible with the values of an equal, shared and inclusive society. As has been mentioned, conversion practices are based on the fundamental faults and wholly unscientific belief that LGBT people are defective, disordered or in need of a cure. That is the crux of the psychological damage. Such practices deny the dignity and worth of individuals, perpetuate stigma and discrimination and can cause long-lasting psychological and emotional scarring to those who are subjected to them. It is my belief that at the heart of the Bill is a safeguarding measure. It creates offences of people intentionally seeking to change or suppress another person's sexual orientation or gender identity, where such conduct causes psychological or physical harm. Much has been said in the debate about the impact of the Bill on parents, teachers, pastors and faith communities, but it is important that discussion of the Bill reflects what the legislation actually proposes and the purposes of the Bill. It does not discriminate against religious belief, attack the premise of faith, prevent people from expressing, holding or preaching their faith or criminalise ordinary parenting, teaching, support, questioning or advice. Specifically, at clause 7, it discusses intent. It states that if:
"the intent is solely to express beliefs or opinions",
there is no intent to commit the offences.
The accused must act with the intention of changing or suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. The conduct must be directed at an identified individual, not at a group of people such as an assembly, youth group or congregation. Physical or psychological harm must be caused, and the Bill provides a defence where conduct is reasonable in certain circumstances.
Let me try to continue. I want to keep going for a little while, and then I will come back. A parent seeking to protect a child's welfare, a teacher carrying out their duties or a pastor providing ordinary pastoral support or giving a sermon is not acting with the intention required by the legislation, nor would such conduct ordinarily meet the thresholds of coercive behaviour or harm set out in this Bill and in others, as has been set out by the Bill sponsor. The question before us is not whether people are entitled to their beliefs: they are. The question is whether anyone should be subjected to coercive practices intended to change who they are in a way that causes demonstrable harm. The answer to that question in the Bill is no. I am relieved to have heard Members from across the Chamber acknowledge that conversion practices are wrong and cannot be justified. That is welcome, but it brings us to the purpose of Second Stage. I know that I have not been an MLA for more than a full mandate, but it is my belief that Second Stage is not where we decide every detail of a Bill. It is where we decide whether its core principle is worthy of further consideration. It is where we determine whether a proposal should proceed to detailed scrutiny, evidence gathering and amendment at Committee Stage. If there is such broad agreement across the House that harmful conversion practices should be prohibited, the questions are obvious: if not now, when? If not this Bill, how?

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

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