In a statement released by the Anti Conversion-Therapy Coalition (ACTC), the organisation has forcefully condemned the proposed amendment by the DUP in the Northern Ireland Assembly to “remove vital protections” for LGBT+ citizens.
The proposed amendment would see the removal of a key phrase from the constitution, which may permit conversion therapy for LGBT+ people, on the grounds of religious belief or practice.
Conversion therapy is a highly controversial psychotherapy approach which seeks to “convert” LGBT+ people to heterosexuality and hetero-normativity. This practice has been banned in many European countries, including the Republic of Ireland, as it is widely deemed to be a highly dangerous and psychologically damaging practice by Psychological & Psychiatric experts in the field.