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

Debate contribution by Mr Paul Givan on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Paul Givan
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 5741681

Text

And others. For a lot of those who regard themselves as nationalist voters, there is an issue when it comes to common-sense policies such as this, in that they do not have representation in the Assembly for the traditional nationalist voting base. That is a point for them to ponder. This speaks to the issue of the vagueness of the Bill and the Bill sponsor's talk about interpretation by the courts. I find it really interesting that clause 7(1) refers to exemptions where:
"there is no intent to change or suppress".
It then lists two of those:
"(a) there is no intent to direct a victim towards a particular sexual orientation or gender identity, (b) the intent is solely to express beliefs or opinions".
Someone could just say, "Not for me; I don't agree", so long as they do not go on to direct a victim to a different approach. Clause 7(1)(c), however, gives the exemption in cases where:
"the intent is to affirm a sexual orientation".
Is it not bizarre that, in the clause that includes the exemptions for someone who has no intention to change or suppress, the Bill sponsor has inserted that someone is exempt if they say, "It's OK to be what you just told me you are"? That confirms to me that, if a court were left with such vague legislation to interpret, it would be left in no doubt of the proposed agenda in the legislation. Affirmation is 100% acceptable; anything other than affirmation is not, and the way in which the Bill sponsor has defined "conversion therapy" will catch people.

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

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