Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has written to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to urge the Health Minister to extend a ban to Northern Ireland targeting so-called gay conversion therapy.
Speaking after the Prime Minister revealed a ban could be brought into place in England, Councillor Muir said it was essential Northern Ireland was included as the therapy was used as yet another way to damage the LGBT people locally. Theresa May stated on Tuesday “We are going to bring forward proposals to end the disgusting practice of conversion therapy, which has no place in modern Britain”.
He added: “I welcome this commitment after many reports in recent years citing the harmful impact of such practices which perpetuate the lie that being lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans is somehow an illness requiring a cure when it’s actually perfectly normal and natural.”
“It is essential the proposed legislation is extended to Northern Ireland and while some may attempt to block this through their own bias or on the ground of religious freedom, I would remind them of the very harmful impact of such activities. If LGBT people in Northern Ireland are to be genuinely valued as equal citizens the legislation must be extended to this part of the UK. Failure to include Northern Ireland would be a complete injustice and travesty for Northern Ireland to be left out and such practices outlawed everywhere else other than the place I am proud to call home.”