European Parliament backs EU‑wide conversion therapy ban as UK continues to delay legislation

The European Parliament has voted to support an European Union‑wide ban on so‑called conversion therapy, increasing pressure on national governments - including the UK’s - to bring forward long‑promised legislation outlawing the practice.

MEPs backed the measure following a European Citizens’ Initiative launched in 2024 by the European Association Against Conversion Therapy (ACT), which secured more than 1.2 million signatures from citizens across the EU calling for a comprehensive ban.

The vote, which passed with the support of a large majority of parliamentarians, is not legally binding. However, it sends a strong political signal to the European Commission, which is the only EU institution with the authority to propose legislation that would apply across all member states. The Commission is expected to issue a formal response by 18 May.

If taken forward, the proposed law would seek to prohibit all forms of conversion therapy - practices that aim to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity - for both children and adults throughout the EU. Medical and human rights bodies have long condemned such practices as harmful, ineffective and incompatible with fundamental rights.

Conversion therapy remains legal, in full or in part, in several EU countries, despite widespread criticism. While some member states have enacted national bans or restrictions, protections remain uneven across the bloc, with campaigners arguing that an EU‑wide approach is necessary to ensure consistent human rights safeguards.

Advocates have welcomed the European Parliament’s move as a major milestone, but stress that progress now depends on the European Commission bringing forward concrete legislative proposals and on member states agreeing to implement them.

UK still without blanket ban

The European vote comes amid continuing delays in the UK, where successive governments have promised but failed to introduce a comprehensive ban on conversion therapy.

Since 2018, multiple UK administrations have committed to outlawing the practice, which has been described by the government and health bodies as abusive and harmful. However, as of spring 2026, no legislation has been passed and a promised draft bill has yet to be published.

The current UK government has pledged to deliver a “full trans‑inclusive ban” on conversion practices in England and Wales, but campaigners say progress has stalled. Last month, Stonewall said the government had missed its own deadline to bring forward a draft Conversion Practices Bill by the end of the parliamentary session.

LGBTQ+ organisations have repeatedly warned that the absence of a clear legal ban leaves people in the UK vulnerable to continued harm, and have urged ministers to follow the European Parliament’s lead by introducing robust, enforceable legislation without further delay.