Ban on queer conversion therapy likely to die in parliament tonight

A motion by five parties to ban treatments that allegedly “cure” homosexuality is likely to die in parliament. NSC and CDA have indicated that they are against banning queer conversion therapy. They’d rather tackle the practice in a different way, through the criminalization of psychological violence that is imminent.

The other religious and conservative parties have already indicated they are against the bill that D66, VVD, GroenLinks-Pvda, SP, and PvdD have been preparing for years. They wanted to protect minors and vulnerable adults who are pressured into undergoing such treatment. The largest government party PVV told the Nederlands Dagblad that it does not support the motion either, which means a majority is against it. The party cannot be reached for questions about this.

NSC says it wants to tackle the controversial therapies if they are involuntary treatments. “We want criminal action to be taken, based on the (psychological) damage that conversion acts can cause,” said NSC MP Jesse Six Dijkstra. He believes that the current initiative is based on “very broad and unclear definitions” and he is against that. According to him, it can limit the scope for coaches, psychologists, and youth workers to “help children with temporary gender dysphoria.”

The CDA says it wants to combat the idea that homosexuality is a condition from which someone should be “cured.” The Christian Democrats find the bill unclear, legally problematic, and difficult to enforce. Effective combating can only be achieved with good legislation, said MP Derk Boswik. According to him, the distinction between whether a conversion treatment is involuntary is not legally difficult to make. “That is why we propose criminalization under psychological violence.”

Conversion treatments can involve administrating drugs that make people sick or giving them electric shocks. They also often involve prayer sessions. The LGBTQIA+ interest group COC has been advocating for a ban for over 10 years. According to the advocacy group, the treatments do not work, but they do lead to mental damage, depression, and suicide or suicidal thoughts.