Debate contribution: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Debate contribution by Mr Paul Frew on .
- MLA
- Mr Paul Frew
- 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 5741289
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The Member poses a good question about how a court will define it. The court will be left with no choice but to define it as it is written in the legislation. It is written in the Bill that the victim considers it to be what they consider it to be. That is the danger here. The Bill sponsor knows rightly — it is why he has put it in — that that will catch all. That will make victims — innocent victims — out of people who discuss with, talk to, instruct and coach people who deem their gender identity whatever the victim considers it to be. That could include animals, nature in itself, colours, objects, fictional or abstract concepts or particular sensations and emotions. That is what the Bill sponsor is trying to legislate for, and that is why most people could fall foul of it. That is what he has defined. Gender identity is what the victim considers it to be, so the victim can consider it to be anything that they wish.
176 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Awaiting analysis
This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.