A controversial European Union plan to ban “conversion practices” will be debated in the European Parliament on Wednesday, with warnings that its sweeping scope could criminalise therapy—and even private discussions between parents and children.
Today in #EPlenary, MEPs will debate the European Citizens' Initiative calling for an EU-wide ban on conversion practices targeting #LGBTIQ+ individuals.
— European Parliamentary Research Service (@EP_EPRS) March 25, 2026
Campaigners on both sides tend to focus on ‘conversion therapy’—typically understood as attempts to change someone’s sexual orientation or reinforce their innate biological sex. But the proposal goes further, targeting “conversion practices,” a far looser term that remains undefined—something critics say opens the door to a much wider scope.
Conservative think tank MCC Brussels earlier this month warned that while “the phrase ‘conversion therapy’ evokes images of electroshock and coercion … that’s not what’s actually being proposed.”
Activists are pushing to ban undefined ‘conversion practices’—a term broad enough to include ordinary therapy and parental concern.
The phrase “conversion therapy” evokes images of electroshock and coercion.
But that’s not what’s actually being proposed.
Activists are pushing to ban undefined “conversion practices” – a term broad enough to include ordinary therapy and parental concern.
The Athena Forum, a European initiative working to safeguard sex-based rights, has also branded the conversion practices label as “deceptive,” saying:
Individuals struggling with their sex require open, exploratory and therapeutic support; their families deserve evidence-based care; and society needs honesty and clarity. Extending conversion therapy bans to gender identity and gender expression is doing lasting harm under the guise of human rights protection.
We will be reporting on the result of Wednesday’s debate, which has already received vocal support from leftist groups in the European Parliament.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
