EU’s Last Stand Against Conversion Therapy

The Union’s President aims to set a new gold standard for LGBTQ+ rights

In a major push for LGBTQ+ equality, the European Union is gearing up to enact a Union-wide ban on conversion therapy, a practice that has long been discredited but remains legal in many countries. The proposed ban comes as part of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s broader strategy for LGBTQ+ rights and signals the EU’s growing role as a global leader in queer advocacy.

Conversion therapy, a harmful practice that attempts to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, has been condemned by medical professionals worldwide for its devastating psychological and physical effects. Survivors often report long-lasting trauma, depression, and suicidal ideation. Despite these dangers, the practice persists across Europe, particularly in countries with conservative governments resistant to expanding LGBTQ+ protections^{1 2}.

A Patchwork of Progress: Where Europe Stands

While several EU member states, like Germany, France, Spain, and Malta, have fully banned conversion therapy, the rest of the continent remains a patchwork of progress and inaction. Belgium recently joined the list of nations banning conversion therapy, and Portugal followed suit with new legal protections for LGBTQ+ citizens^{3 4}. However, in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Italy, LGBTQ+ rights remain embattled, and conversion therapy is still a looming threat. These nations have resisted LGBTQ+ reforms under the guise of protecting “traditional family values” and have even adopted anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that restricts expressions of queer identity​⁵.

The EU’s proposed ban aims to create a uniform standard across all 27 member states, ensuring that no one is subjected to this damaging practice, regardless of where they live. Kim van Sparrentak, a prominent Dutch lawmaker and LGBTQ+ advocate in the European Parliament, hailed the ban as a step toward “protecting [the] community from these torturous practices” and affirmed the necessity of a united front across the continent⁶.

The Political Roadblocks

Despite the EU’s strong stance, implementing this ban will not be without its challenges. Nations like Hungary and Poland have long been a thorn in the side of EU-wide LGBTQ+ initiatives, often framing these efforts as a threat to national sovereignty. Both countries have passed so-called “LGBTQ-free zone” policies and anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda laws that actively suppress queer expression and criminalize support for LGBTQ+ rights. The resistance from these countries isn’t just ideological—it’s deeply political, tied to right-wing populism that uses queer identities as scapegoats for broader societal anxieties⁷.

Even in Italy, where conversion therapy has not yet been outlawed, the current political climate under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her right-wing government complicates the path forward for LGBTQ+ protections. Italy’s government has made clear its opposition to further LGBTQ+ reforms, and passing a national ban could prove difficult​^{8 9}.

Why This Ban Could Be a Global Game-Changer

Should the EU successfully pass this legislation, the ramifications could extend far beyond Europe. Conversion therapy remains legal in several regions around the world, including parts of the United States, where religious and conservative groups have defended the practice as a form of free speech or religious expression. An EU-wide ban would place significant pressure on these countries to follow suit and could serve as a model for future legal frameworks aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ communities globally.

Moreover, the ban represents more than just the elimination of a specific harmful practice—it’s a cultural and political statement. The EU would be sending a clear message that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, regardless of the political context of individual member states. This could have profound ripple effects, not only in the sphere of LGBTQ+ protections but in challenging the growing wave of right-wing populism across Europe that thrives on anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment¹⁰.

The Road Ahead

The EU’s ban on conversion therapy is expected to face legal challenges and political pushback, particularly from conservative governments within the bloc. However, with strong leadership from the Commission and increasing public support for LGBTQ+ rights, the likelihood of success is high. Public health officials, human rights advocates, and LGBTQ+ organizations are rallying around this proposal, hoping it will not only eliminate conversion therapy but also set a new standard for queer rights worldwide.

If this legislation passes, Europe will solidify itself as a global leader in the fight against conversion therapy, providing hope and inspiration to LGBTQ+ communities everywhere. However, it remains to be seen how resistant nations will react—and whether the EU can overcome internal division to make this historic ban a reality.

1. https://www.alturi.org/news_items/eu-to-pursue-ban-on-conversion-therapy-in-new-lgbtq-strategy/ ↩︎
2. https://www.brusselstimes.com/323548/belgium-bans-conversion-practices-for-lgbtq-people ↩︎
3. Ibid. ↩︎
4. https://www.ilga-europe.org/blog/the-european-countries-fighting-against-conversion-therapies/ ↩︎
5. https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/09/23/out-in-the-world-lgbtq-news-from-europe-north-america-and-asia/ ↩︎
6. ref 1. ↩︎
7. https://www.brusselstimes.com/323548/belgium-bans-conversion-practices-for-lgbtq-people ↩︎
8. ref 6. ↩︎
9. https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/09/23/out-in-the-world-lgbtq-news-from-europe-north-america-and-asia/ ↩︎
10. ref 7. ↩︎