Belgian Parliament To Criminalize Ex-Gay Torture

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.

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