The House of Representatives will debate on Tuesday, September 2, about a draft bill that criminalizes conversion practices. These are actions to change or suppress someones sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. You can follow the debate live from 19:55 via Debat Direct.

The draft bill has been submitted by Members of Parliament Wieke Paulusma (D66), Bente Becker (VVD), Lisa Westerveld (GroenLinks-PvdA), Michiel van Nispen (SP), and Ines Kostić (PvdD). Four of these MPs will sit in section K to defend the proposal. Justice and Security Minister David van Weel will also attend the debate in the House.

Protection

Conversion practices usually involve changing from homosexuality to heterosexuality, for example through prayer healing or exorcism. According to the initiators, victims of conversion practices are often young people growing up in a religious environment where strict norms apply regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. The aim of the Criminalization of Conversion Practices Act is to protect these individuals.

Follow-up

Earlier this year, on February 19, the House also debated this draft bill. In the upcoming debate, the initiators will respond to the points raised then.

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