Netherlands Set to Ban Gay Conversion Therapy

The Netherlands is on track to criminalize gay conversion therapy, a practice that attempts to change or suppress someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

A majority of Dutch senators expressed support for the ban during Tuesday's debate. The final vote happens June 9, and passage would make subjecting LGBTQ+ people to conversion therapy punishable by up to a year in prison.

The bill started in the lower house of parliament, which approved it last September. Five members from across the political spectrum championed the effort together, representing parties from the left-wing socialists to right-wing liberals.

The legislation targets intrusive, systematic attempts to change someone's identity. About 15 organizations in the Netherlands currently offer these practices, mostly within orthodox religious communities that view being gay or transgender as an illness.

The path to victory wasn't smooth. The Council of State warned in 2023 that an earlier version might violate religious freedoms. The sponsors responded by narrowing the scope so occasional conversations with clergy or youth workers wouldn't qualify as crimes, and faith schools can still teach their beliefs.

That compromise won over skeptics like the Christian Democrats and NSC. Before Tuesday's debate, LGBTI rights group COC Nederland delivered a petition with 8,000 signatures urging passage. Justice Minister David van Weel told senators the bill aligns with the coalition agreement and raised no major enforcement concerns.

Why This Inspires

The Dutch research connects conversion therapy to depression and suicidal thoughts. A UCLA study found gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans who underwent the practice were nearly twice as likely to consider or attempt suicide compared to those who hadn't experienced it.

The United Nations called for a global ban in 2020. Its independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity concluded that conversion therapy inflicts severe pain and suffering, is inherently discriminatory, and can amount to torture when forced.

The Netherlands joining this movement shows how evidence can change minds. Political parties that rarely agree found common ground to protect vulnerable people from harm. That's democracy working exactly as it should.