The European Union will not ban “conversion therapy” targeting LGBTQ people, but will push member states to take action against such practices, it said Wednesday. So-called conversion “therapies” involve methods that seek to change the sexual orientation, gender identity or expression of gay, lesbian, queer and trans people. The EU stopped short of heeding a call by over a million people, who signed a petition last May calling on the 27-country bloc to prohibit such methods.
Conversion practices “have no place in our union,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, which flew the LGBTQ flag outside its headquarters in Brussels Wednesday. Instead, the EU executive said it would issue a recommendation next year for member states to adopt national-level bans, but it would not be binding. The United Nations has called for a ban worldwide, describing such practices — based on the notion that homosexuality is a disorder — as discriminatory, humiliating and a violation of bodily integrity.”This is a shameful practice, this is an unacceptable practice.
This is not care, this is covert violence. No one should have to experience this,” said EU commissioner Hadja Lahbib, in charge of equality. But Brussels argued it does not have the legal authority to ban the practices, and that any such move would be an encroachment on member states’ powers. This is a “missed opportunity”, said the group “Against Conversion Therapy” which launched the petition.”In an international political context where the rise of reactionary ideas is affecting the entire world, it is urgent the European Union acts,” it said.
Bans already exist in eight of the EU’s 27 nations: Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Spain. EU lawmaker Melissa Camara, a lesbian member of the European Parliament group working for LGBTIQ+ rights, told AFP the commission’s response was a step in the right direction. But it was “far too timid” in view of “the damage and trauma caused by these practices”, she added.
But Lahbib defended Wednesday’s move as “historic” and said the decision was taken after hearing victims’ describe being subjected to “forced drug treatment, verbal and physical violence, electric shocks, sexual abuse, and rape”. She added: “I will never forget what I heard.”
Wed, 13 May 2026 15:14:37 GMT