A new research report by SSESW academic Dr Danielle Mackle and Professor Fidelma Ashe (Ulster University) explored aspects of conversion practices in the Northern Ireland context, specifically why, how and where these practices happen, who experiences them, and their effects on LGBTQI+ people. The Conversion Practices in Northern Ireland report recommends bringing forward legislation to legally ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland.

Conversion practices (also known as conversion therapies, reparative therapies, and cure therapies) encompass all medical, psychological, religious, cultural or any other interventions that seek to erase, repress or change a person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Integral to these practices is the assumption or belief that LGBTQI+ identities are damaging, sinful or the result of a ‘medical dysfunction’ that can be cured.

This research was commissioned by LGBTQ+ sector organisations Cara-Friend, HEReNI, The Rainbow Project and TransgenderNI and was supported by funding from the Department for Communities to develop an understanding of conversion practices in Northern Ireland. The research study found that they were advertised publicly, or conversely, performed in a clandestine way. Participants identified a range of harm caused by participation in conversion practices, reflecting findings similar to those of cross-country studies of such practices.