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

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Gordon Lyons
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 22 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5741050

Text

I appreciate the Member's giving way. First, will she agree that "general principles" does not mean that we have to speak in generalities about this? Secondly, it is not just about what the Member says the Bill does; we have to look at what it actually does by interrogating the text. That why the Deputy Speaker, who could well pull us up on any of these things, has allowed us to have this debate today in large part. It is important to make sure that we can tease these things out. What does "intent" look like? What does "suppress" mean? What do "counselling" and "talking therapy" mean? To understand what the Bill will do, you have to look at the definitions, and that is why it is our right to ensure that we can talk about it. It is not simply a case of asking whether we agree with what is on the front page.

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

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