Parliament In The Netherlands Has Voted To Criminalize Conversion Therapy

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Trigger Warning: Mention of physical and psychological abuse

Conversion therapy has been described as interventions that aim to alter or “cure” an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Techniques can range from prayer sessions and camps, to pseudo-scientific counseling, to the outright horrific: ‘corrective rape,’ ‘exorcism,’ shunning, and even physical assault have been reported, per Stonewall.Org.UK in Great Britain where a ban on conversion therapy remains pending.

But across the North Sea, the Dutch are pointing the Brits in the right direction. After a long period of opposition by several parties in The Netherlands, a majority just voted to support a bill to ban these despicable practices. It’s been a few years in the making, and the finish line is now in sight.

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For a time, there was some fuss over the scope of the legislation, and the vote was held up due to opposition from the New Social Contract, Christian Democrats and The Farmer–Citizen Movement parties. Some tweaks to the language helped move things forward: now, conversion therapy will only be punishable if it is ‘systematically’ and ‘intrusively’ trying to change someone’s gender and/or sexual orientation, and if done so under severe psychological pressure.

In other words, therapies involving electric shocks are a hard “no.”

BUT, attempts at conversions in general will not be banned, i.e. a pastor can still say that you’re going to hell if you’re queer. Given this allowance, the Christian Democrats – who were critical of the plan six months back – are now okay with what’s been proposed, and voted in favor. And now that the ban has made it this far, some voices of affirmation are ringing across the globe.

“Love need never be cured”, said Wieke Paulusma, of the social-liberal party, Democrats 66 (D66).  “This law protects vulnerable people from harmful practices that endanger their health and safety. This is a choice for freedom, equality and human dignity.”

Bente Becker of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) was also pleased with the vote. “In our country, you can be who you are and love who you want. It is unacceptable that people try to “cure” you of your orientation with prayer sessions or even beatings.”

Next stop: debating the bill in the Senate. In the meantime, Myrtille Danse, Chair of LGBTQI+ group COC Netherlands, has issued words for the wise, and should anyone among us ever have a doubt:

“You are perfect just the way you are; never let anyone tell you otherwise.”