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EU to Mandate Conversion-Therapy Ban After 1.1 M Signatures

5/16/2026

32 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Von der Leyen Bans Conversion Therapy

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU will require states to ban conversion therapy after a petition with 1.1 million signatures and a 2024 report that one in four LGBTQ+ people faced conversion practices.
Ten of 27 states ban practice, with Malta outlawing it in 2016 and France adding jail terms.
Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib called it “violence disguised as care” and said tens of thousands will march in Brussels May 17.

Summary

Commission Rejects Ban

The European Commission rejected a binding EU ban, saying unanimity is needed and talks could last 18 years.
It will issue a non-binding recommendation in 2027 with EU awareness campaigns.
The European Parliament voted for an EU-wide ban on 29 April, but the Commission limited its action.
ACT’s Mattéo Garguilo and ILGA-Europe’s Cianan Russel criticized the Commission’s action, calling it a missed opportunity and the strongest possible EU measure.

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Von der Leyen Bans Conversion Therapy

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU will require states to ban conversion therapy after a petition with 1.1 million signatures and a 2024 report that one in four LGBTQ+ people faced conversion practices.
Ten of 27 states ban practice, with Malta outlawing it in 2016 and France adding jail terms.
Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib called it “violence disguised as care” and said tens of thousands will march in Brussels May 17.

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