Iceland bans sexual orientation and gender identity ‘conversion therapy’ News
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Iceland bans sexual orientation and gender identity ‘conversion therapy’

Iceland issued new legislation banning “conversation therapy.” The legislation, passed late last week, would ban any attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The new legislation, proposed by Viðreisnar parliamentary party chair and Reform Party MP Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, punishes anyone making an adult undergo conversion therapy with up to three years in prison—a sentence which increases to a five year maximum if the practice is applied to a child. The law also includes anyone administering conversion therapy. Those administering the practice could face up to two years in prison if found guilty.

Iceland’s Parliament, the Althingi, passed the trans-inclusive ban unanimously with 53 votes in favor, no votes against and 3 abstentions.

The new legislation has been welcomed as an “important” step forward for the LGBTQ+ community in Iceland by rights group such as Samtökin ’78—National Queer Organisation of Iceland—and Stonewall. Samtökin ’78 applauded the passage of the legislation and the government’s recognition of conversion therapy’s harm to LGBTQ+ individuals.

Iceland joins countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Brazil, Ecuador, Spain, Germany, France and Malta in banning the practice.

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