Full Breakdown
EU Commission Calls for EU-wide Ban on Conversion Therapy
5/14/2026, 8:38:58 PM
Core Event
On 13 May 2026 the European Commission announced a non-binding recommendation urging all 27 EU member states to outlaw “conversion therapy” – practices that attempt to change sexual orientation or gender identity. The recommendation, to be formally presented in 2027, will be paired with awareness campaigns, professional-training programmes and a study of the practice’s prevalence.
Background & Context
The move follows a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) launched by the NGO Against Conversion Therapy (ACT) in 2024, which gathered more than 1.2 million signatures from at least seven countries, meeting the threshold that obliges the Commission to act. In 2024 the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights reported that 24 % of LGBTIQ+ citizens in the bloc have experienced conversion practices, with the highest incidence in Greece, Cyprus and the Czech Republic. Eight states – Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Spain – have bans; ten have partial bans, according to ILGA-Europe.
Official Statements & Responses
The Commission condemned the practice, saying every LGBTIQ+ person should live free from violence, discrimination and fear. President Ursula von der Leyen said conversion practices have no place in the Union. Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib called them a lie and urged immediate bans. ILGA-Europe welcomed the recommendation but urged swift national implementation.
Criticism & Opposition
ACT’s Mattéo Garguilo said the recommendation falls short of the urgency required and called for a binding EU-wide ban. ILGA-Europe deputy director Katrin Hugendubel warned that fragmented national action is insufficient and stressed the need for clear EU-wide direction. The Commission cited lack of unanimity among member states as the reason for not pursuing a binding act.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the number of states with bans (eight vs ten) and on the signature count (1.2 million vs 1 245 626). The timeline is described as “next year” (2027) in some reports and as a 2027 adoption in others.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They have no place in our Union.” — Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission
- “Conversion practices are built on a lie. The lie that LGBTIQ+ people need to be fixed,” — Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality
- “While it is appreciated that the European Commission condemns and calls for a ban on these practices, this falls short of the urgency required,” — Mattéo Garguilo, ACT
- “Ending conversion practices cannot stop at symbolic commitments or fragmented national approaches,” — Katrin Hugendubel, Deputy Director, ILGA-Europe
What’s Next
The Commission will submit the recommendation to the Council in 2027, with awareness, training and victim support. Member states are expected to draft national bans. The announcement coincides with the Brussels Pride parade, where thousands will demonstrate for a EU-wide ban.
