The European Commission responds to the European Citizens’ Initiative to ban “conversion therapy”

The European Commission has today adopted a Communication in response to the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Ban Conversion Therapy in the European Union’. This response comes just four days before the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and reaffirms the Commission’s commitment to the rights of LGBTIQ people and to building a true Union of Equality.

The Communication explains that conversion practices are based on the misconception that LGBTIQ people are ill. These harmful interventions can cause lasting psychological and physical harm. According to a report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 24% of LGBTIQ people in the EU have been subjected to such practices, which include physical and sexual violence, insults and humiliation. This figure is almost double for trans women and trans men. The European citizens’ initiative, backed by 1.1 million EU citizens, called on the Commission to take action and propose a legal ban on conversion practices targeting LGBTIQ people.

The Commission has analysed the legal options and intends to adopt a Commission Recommendation urging Member States to ban conversion practices. Everyone in the LGBTIQ community must be able to be who they are and live their lives with pride, free from violence, discrimination and fear. The Commission will adopt its Recommendation in 2027 and is committed to supporting countries in their efforts to ban these harmful practices. Alongside the Recommendation, the Commission will propose complementary measures.

President Ursula von der Leyen said:“Today we are committing to adopting a Recommendation addressed to Member States urging them to ban conversion practices across the European Union. They have no place in our Union. The European Union proudly stands in solidarity with the LGBTIQ community and reaffirms its vision of a Union of Equality: a place where everyone can live freely, openly and as their true selves.”

Next steps

Following this response, the Commission will begin work on the Recommendation. This will be developed through a structured dialogue with Member States via the Expert Group on LGBTIQ Equality, taking into account the best practices of those Member States that have already introduced bans. The work will also be based on the detailed study currently being carried out on conversion practices, the results of which are expected in early 2027.

Background

The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon as a tool enabling citizens to influence the EU agenda. It was officially launched in April 2012. Since then, the Commission has registered 129 initiatives, of which 14 have managed to collect one million signatures and have been submitted to the Commission for examination. To be formally accepted, European Citizens’ Initiatives must propose legislative measures in areas where the Commission has competence and gather verified signatures from one million citizens; this figure must be reached in at least seven Member States. Once an initiative has been submitted, the Commission has six months to provide a formal response. Today’s initiative is the thirteenth on which the Commission is adopting a formal response.

Although social acceptance of LGBTIQ people has increased in recent years across the Union, they continue to face unacceptable levels of discrimination, hatred and violence. The fight against conversion therapy is a key objective of the Strategy for the Equality of LGBTIQ People 2026–2030, aimed at protecting them from violence, insults and hatred. The commitment to ban conversion therapy was already set out in Commissioner Hadja Lahbib’s letter of mandate.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is observed to commemorate the World Health Organisation’s decision on 17 May 1990 to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. This date provides an annual opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to ensuring that everyone can be themselves freely and safely, without being judged or coerced.

More information: European Commission.