Belgium plans ban of ‘conversion therapy’ for all LGBTQ+ people
Legislation to ban ‘conversion therapy’ has been announced in Belgium, bringing an end to the cruel practice for all LGBTQ+ people.
The state’s Secretary for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunity and Diversity, Sarah Schlitz, gave more details in a press release. “Belgium is a pioneer in the field of LGBTQ rights,” part of it read. “Numerous legislative reforms and social efforts bear witness to this, but a ban [on conversion practices] was sadly missing from our legislative arsenal.” Belgium is known for having comprehensive legal protections for LGBTQ+ people.
This includes proposed legal recognition of non-binary identities, announced in 2021. Belgium also has the most senior transgender politician in Europe.
Petra de Sutter became deputy prime minister in 2020. ‘Conversion therapy’ is typically defined as any attempt at changing or suppressing a person’s sexuality or gender identity, often involving techniques such as electroshock therapy or prayer.
