'The Chilling Bill': Belfast panel warns Conversion Practices Bill is 'chasing a phantom problem'

The Free Speech Union and Genspect

28 September 2026

Speakers at a Belfast event examining Northern Ireland's proposed Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill have challenged its supporters to explain what conduct the legislation would criminalise that is not already covered by existing law. The challenge came during Banned in Belfast? Free Speech, Conversion Therapy and the New Northern Ireland, an event co-hosted by Genspect and the Free Speech Union on Friday 25 September, which brought together members of the public, clinicians and legal and policy experts to examine the implications of the Bill.

The first panel, chaired by Dr Jan Macvarish, examined the wider climate around freedom of speech and debate on sex and gender in Northern Ireland. The second, chaired by Dr Stella O'Malley, focused specifically on the proposed legislation, its potential consequences for parents, families and therapists, and whether it addresses any genuine gap in existing criminal law.

Speakers argued that no genuine gap in existing criminal law had been identified to justify the creation of new offences. Dennis Kavanagh, criminal barrister and Co-Director of the Gay Men's Network, pointed to existing offences covering conduct including serious physical violence and false imprisonment. He warned that the Bill would place "the shadow of criminal law across your kitchen table" by bringing difficult conversations between parents and children within its reach.

That the Bill could inadvertently harm the very gay and lesbian young people it purports to protect was another key concern. Kavanagh pointed to a 2012 study of adolescents referred to the Tavistock's Gender Identity Development Service, in which around 80% of males and almost 90% of females reported same-sex or bisexual attraction. Ruth Paterson, solicitor and member of the Women's Rights Network, echoed these concerns over the inclusion of gender identity within the Bill. She said that the Bill "is a Trojan horse. They are using the fear of 'pray the gay away' to now trans the gay away. More children will be harmed if this Bill is allowed to proceed."

Speakers also warned of a wider chilling effect on speech, belief and ordinary conversations among parents, teachers and social workers. Fiona McAnena of Sex Matters said there were "lots of sectors where people simply cannot speak", adding that "everyone is afraid of being the first one to say it." Shelley Charlesworth of Transgender Trend pointed to the "well documented" culture of fear at the former Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service, warning that real-world harms were going undiscussed because people were afraid to speak openly. James Kennedy, Northern Ireland Policy Officer at the Christian Institute, focused on freedom of belief, saying the Bill "is bringing in a very specific form of state-enforced beliefs. Whether you are a Christian or not, you should be very concerned about the impact of this Bill on your freedom of belief."

The Bill risks chilling ethical therapeutic practice by making clinicians fearful of the consequences of challenging their clients, the panel heard. Jaco van Zyl, a clinical psychologist and analytical psychotherapist, warned: "If I do not collude with my client, there is a target on my back." In his closing remarks, van Zyl described the Bill as "Don Quixotean", arguing that legislators were focusing on the wrong source of harm to young people: "They are chasing a phantom problem while the actual culprit is running amok. That's gender-affirmative practice."

Reaction

Speaking after the event, Dr Jan Macvarish, Director of National Engagement at the Free Speech Union, said:

"One of the most concerning things we heard was how many people are already afraid to speak openly about these issues. This legislation could mean that being a good parent or a caring professional puts you at risk not just of losing your job but of imprisonment."

Dr Stella O'Malley, psychotherapist and Executive Director of Genspect, added:

"It was striking that there were more people in the room discussing this Bill than there had been in the Assembly Chamber debating it. That should tell us something about the level of public concern surrounding this legislation and the need for proper scrutiny, particularly when the consequences for families could be so serious."

"Through our work with parents and detransitioners at Genspect, we see how frightening it can be when a young person is struggling with distress around their sex or gender. We must support parents to stand up for their children, not risk criminalising important conversations between them. MLAs must tell us explicitly what conduct this Bill criminalises that isn't already illegal."

The Second Stage debate on the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill resumes in the Northern Ireland Assembly today.