The Brussels Times reports:
Belgium is banning conversion practices – a pseudoscientific practice of trying to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity to align with heterosexual and cisgender norms – for members of the LGBTQ community, announced State Secretary for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Sarah Schlitz.
“Belgium is a pioneer in the field of LGBTQ rights. Numerous legislative reforms and social efforts bear witness to this, but a ban [on conversion practices] was sadly missing from our legislative arsenal,” Schlitz said in a press release.
From now on, carrying out conversion practices will be punishable by imprisonment of one month to two years and/or a fine of €100 to €300. The court will also take into account whether the offence was committed by a person in a recognised position of trust, authority or influence over the victim.
Read the full article. Brussels is the de facto capital of Europe as host to European Union headquarters.
The Belgian Cabinet has approved a new law to ban LGBT+ conversion practices, with practitioners facing a maximum punishment of two years imprisonment if found liable. The law will come into effect once approved by the Chamber of Representatives ???️? https://t.co/TGf8egxi4h
— Global Equality Caucus (@Equality_Caucus) November 18, 2022