Spanish lawmakers have voted to make so-called conversion therapy a criminal offence, with those found guilty potentially facing up to two years in prison.
Conversion therapy refers to discredited, ineffective and harmful practices that attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
These practices can include prayer sessions, counselling, exorcisms, beatings, humiliation, fasting and even rape.
New law would criminalise conversion practices
Conversion therapy is already prohibited in Spain as an administrative offence punishable by fines.
However, the new legislation seeks to amend the Penal Code and classify the practices as a criminal offence, including in cases where a person has allegedly consented.
Under the bill, which was passed by the Congress of Deputies on Thursday, those found guilty could face fines, a criminal record, professional disqualification and between six months and two years in prison.
The bill must still be approved by the Spanish Senate before it can become law.
LGBTQ+ groups welcome move
Spanish LGBTQ+ organisation Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Trans, Bisexuales, Intersexuales y más welcomed the development.
The group’s president, Paula Iglesias, described the legislation as another step towards protecting the dignity and integrity of LGBTI+ people.
“Today, we are sowing a seed of redress for all those who have been victims of the torture of so-called conversion therapies. We hope to reap its fruits in the form of the definitive eradication of practices that violate the freedom of a group historically attacked and persecuted simply for being and existing outside the norm,” she said.
Growing international opposition
The World Psychiatric Association has discredited conversion therapy as ineffective and deeply harmful, linking such practices to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, homelessness and suicide.
Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the former UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, has said conversion therapy could be defined as a form of torture.
Earlier this month, the Dutch Senate also voted to ban conversion therapy, making it illegal to subject children and vulnerable adults to the practices.
In May, the European Commission formally condemned conversion practices and announced plans to issue a recommendation urging all European Union member states to ban them.
Spain’s move adds to growing international pressure to end practices that LGBTQ+ advocates say cause profound harm under the false promise of changing who someone is.
