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

Debate contribution by Mr Jonathan Buckley on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Jonathan Buckley
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 5741240

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that it is an insult to many practising adults, including parents, pastors and others involved in the day-to-day lives of young people, that the specific exemption that Mr Tennyson has included in the Bill applies only to those in the medical profession? The definition of "conversion therapy" is saying to parents, preachers and youth pastors that they do not have the ability to engage in counselling or any talking therapy, the ability to coach or give instruction, or the ability to do anything that is intrinsic to what they do each day as loving parents or professionals in a church setting.

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

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