Joint statement: The EU must act now to end conversion practices

On 11 December, 161 organisations published a joint statement to strongly urge the leaders and institutions of the European Union to take actions toward the elimination of conversion practices.

This is a crucial step to safeguard the fundamental human rights of all European citizens in all their diversity and promote a Union of equality. Our organisations, in collaboration with Against Conversion Therapy (ACT), remain resolute in our mission to advocate for the protection of LGBTIQ+ individuals throughout all Member States. We call upon the European Commission to take into consideration the voices of the 1 128 063 European Citizens who have signed the European Citizens’ Initiative “Ban on conversion practices” and to propose a clear follow-up to this campaign to ensure that those who have been harmed by conversion practices are heard and heeded. Together, we can create a safe, fair, and equal Europe for all.

Conversion practices, which are also sometimes referred to as so-called “conversion therapies”, are treatments that aim to alter an individual’s sexual orientation, sex characteristics, gender identity and / or expression. These treatments encompass a wide range of methods, including psychotherapy, medication, aversive treatments, physical and sexual violence, and exorcisms. The use of these practices can result in severe and long-lasting negative consequences for individuals, including suicidal ideation, permanent physical harm, suicide attempts, depression, anxiety, shame, self-hatred, and loss of faith (for persons of faith). Both physical and non-physical forms of conversion practices can amount to torture or degrading and inhumane treatment, highlighting the urgent need for their prohibition and the protection of individuals from such methods.

Conversion practices cause irreparable harm to LGBTIQ+ persons. They affect transgender, intersex, and non-binary persons, gay men, lesbian women, bisexual and asexual persons, regardless of their age. They can target children, teenagers and adults. Therefore, any measure that does not explicitly protect these groups will not be fit for purpose. Unfortunately, LGBTIQ+ individuals across Europe continue to suffer the consequences of these abusive treatments, despite some countries having already banned them. The patchwork of national regulations leaves countless persons vulnerable. 

As of today, conversion practices are banned to varying degrees within only 8 Member States of the European Union (Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, and Spain). Some other Member States have proposed bills in this regard. There are also discrepancies in regards to which LGBTIQ+ groups are protected, which entities are covered, and what sanctions are imposed in both the existing laws and the proposals. Moreover, the definition of conversion practices differs from one Member State to another.

The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025 of the European Commission recognised the harmful nature of conversion practices and announced that the EU will take action to eliminate such violations of human rights by sharing best practices. Complete data sets on the nature, prevalence and  use of such practices in the EU are absent, as conversion practices are usually conducted covertly. We therefore welcome the commitment under the LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030 to conduct and publish a study on conversion practices and their impact on LGBTIQ+ people. We will remain attentive to the good application of the study, making sure that the protection of LGBTIQ+ individuals remains a priority for the EU. ​​Indeed, data on conversion practices is a starting point towards ending these practices, not the end in itself. Clear guidelines from the Commission, in the form of a Commission Recommendation, proposing a harmonised definition of conversion practices, detailing the scope of protection and nature of sanctions, and laying down broader guiding principles on how to tackle and prevent conversion practices is a necessary next step.

This is why ACT launched an European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) campaign to collect 1 million signatures, urging the European Commission to take concrete action. We request that the Commission honors its commitment, takes concrete actions, and works in collaboration with civil society to eradicate conversion practices in all 27 EU Member States.  

We must stand united against conversion practices and ensure that all individuals are free to live authentically without fear of harm.

List of signatories: 

• ACT (Against Conversion Therapy) 
• ILGA-Europe
• IGLYO
• OII Europe 
• EPOA
• TGEU – Trans Europe and Central Asia
• EL*C – Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community
• FELGTBI+ –  Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gais, Trans, Bisexuales, Intersexuales y más
• Pride Network Netherlands
• My Voice, My Choice
• Amnesty International
• LGBTI+ Gozo
• Zagreb Pride 
• Gay Center / Gay Help Line 
• TransCore 
• Trans-Inter-Aktiv in Mitteldeutschland e. V.
• RFSL Ungdom – Queer Youth Sweden 
• Trasek ry
• LEGEBITRA 
• Örebro Rättighetscenter
• JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France
• AMIGAY Aps
• League for mental health in Slovakia 
• Incluziune pe Bune (Romania)
• La llave del armario 
• Transgender Equality Network Ireland
• Arcigay Varese
• Plataforma Pensioniste Pitiüsa
• Di’Gay Project – DGP Aps 
• [H] – BRAȘOV Association 
• Çavaria
• Asociația Pride
• Spectrum
• Moviment Graffiti 
• Prisme 
• Intersex Belgium 
• La Clau de s’Armari 
• Kristna regnbågsrörelsen – Riksförbundet EKHO
• Identity Education
• ALAS A Coruña
• ShoutOut 
• Segoentiende asociación LGTBH de Segovia 
• TIN Legal Aid 
• Transgender Netwerk 
• Youth 2030 Movement 
• FECyLGTB, federación de entidades LGTB de Castilla y León.
• Centre LGBTI+ de Lyon
• Trans-Fuzja Foundation
• HES – socialistes LGBTI+
• Anitzak 
• Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège
• QueerFest col·lectiu LGTBIQA+ Castelló 
• Asociación Nós Mesmas
• Omphalos LGBTQIA+
• COGAM
• Rosa Lëtzebuerg – National LGBTIQ+ Association
• Greek LGBTQI+ Helpline – “11528 – By Your Side” 
• Rain Arcigay Caserta ODV
• EPBN (European Pride Business Network)
• EDGE, Leaders for Change
• TransParente
• rede ex aequo – associação de jovens LGBTI e apoiantes 
• Prague Pride z.s.
• SECRETARIA CONFEDERAL DE MUJERES E IGUALDAD DE CCOO
• Lesbian Organisation Rijeka – LORI
• Observatori Contra l’LGTBI-fòbia 
• Transfeminist Initiative TransAkcija
• Transfeminiinit ry – Transfeminina rf
• Lavender Common
• LGBTQ+ Psychology Section of Hungarian Psychological Association
• Asociación Stop Sida
• RFSL – Riksförbundet för homosexuellas, bisexuellas, transpersoners, queeras och intersexpersoners rättigheter
• Gehitu
• GLAS
• GALEHI
• Mann-O-Meter e.V.
• PortugalGay.pt
• STOP HOMOPHOBIE
• Associazione per la Cultura e l’Etica Transgenere
• Atlasz Sports Club
• Hungarian LGBT Alliance
• Fundación ONCE
• The LGBT life e.V. 
• Društvo Parada ponosa (Ljubljana Pride Association)
• Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement (MGRM)
• Copenhagen Pride
• Association of LGBT and their friends Mozaika
• Limerick Pride Festival 
• Sateenkaariperheet ry / Rainbow Families Finland
• Ortzadar LGBTI+ 
• Labrisz Lesbian Association
• ACCEPT LGBT Cyprus
• Trans Autonomija
• DEKUMAS LBT
• EUFORIA. Familias Trans-Aliadas
• Iniciatíva Inakosť
• Rainbow PRIDE Bratislava
• Asociación LGBTIQA* Diversas Canarias
• Portugal Pride
• LTA “Transformācija”
• Queer Cyprus Association
• The Pride Commission of Iran, Iran Pride
• Oulu Pride
• JoopeA Foundation
• Gruppo Trans APS
• European Forum of LGBTI+ Christian Groups
• Rainbow Rose 
• LGBT+ Denmark
• Centre for Civile Initiatves Poreč
• Warsaw Pride
• Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre
• Flirt – front transfem
• Gamá Collective, LGBTI Association of the Canary Islands for Sexual and Gender Diversity
• ILGA Portugal
• Single Step Foundation
• FSTB – The Association in Support of Transgender Children
• COC Limburg
• LSU Deutschlands 
• Athens Pride
• Ala Milano Onlus – Sportello Trans 
• NNID, Expertise centre for sex diversity
• Bolo-Bolo LGTB CLM
• Tels Quels
• Transgender Infopunt
• Caminar Intersex 
• IntersexEsiste
• Agapanto aps
• Gaynet 
• Arcigay Catania 
• ALFI – Associazione Lesbica Femminista Italiana 154
• Fundacja Interakcja 
• Gay Center Gay Help Line
• Brianza Oltre L’Arcobaleno
• ARCIGAY – Associazione LGBTQIA+ Italiana
• Homokomando
• Clar-T
• Possibile
• Stowarzyszenie Queerowy Maj
• INTERSEX GREECE
• ARK Oradea
• Heel Bijzonder re-integratie 
• Greek Helsinki Monitor
• Minority Rights Group – Greece
• Transboys – Asociación de Hombres Transexuales 
• Proud Parents Greece
• Queer Shorts Film Festival Vienna
• Crible ASBL
• Pixiels
• Laboratoire d’Etudes Queer, sur le Genre et les Féminismes – LEQGF a.s.b.l.
• Proud Seniors Greece – Support Group for 50y+ LGBTQ+ people
• My, Rodzice – stowarzyszenie matek, ojców i sojuszników osób LGBTQIA (We, the Parents Association of Mothers, Fathers and Allies of LGBTQIA People)
• LGBTQI+Socialdemocrats Sweden
• FILIPINO TRANS EUROPE
• European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)
• Pinkriot Arcigay Pisa APS
• VIMÖ – OII Austria
• Filipino LGBT Europe
• kolekTIRV | For the rights of trans, intersex and gender variant persons
• Rainbow School – Πολύχρωμο Σχολείο
• Rainbow Network FNV
• Heublumen – LGBTQIA+ Initiative
• Queeres Netzwerk Niedersachsen e.V.
• Organisation Intersex International Germany – OII Germany
• Centre LGBTI de Grenoble
• Orlando LGBT+ Mental Health Beyond the Stigma
• Collectif Intersexe Activiste-OII France

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