Minister for Children and Equality Roderic O’Gorman: 'We want legislation that is effective and robust and safe from legal challenge.' Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins PhotosPromised legislation to ban conversion therapy – where LGBTI people are pressured to change their sexuality or gender – is unlikely to be enacted within the Government’s lifetime, Minister for Children and Equality
The Minister said aspects of it had proven to be “extremely complex” and he was continuing to engage with Attorney GeneralJoyce scholars fear ‘schism’ in their community over sexual harassment allegationsAt the event in Trinity College Dublin, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and the Psychological Society of Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding committing members not to engage in the practice in the Republic and in...
It adds: “It is very important to emphasise that this MOU does not seek to deny, discourage or exclude those with uncertain feelings around sexuality or gender identity from seeking qualified and appropriate help. The MOU explicitly supports healthcare providers to provide appropriately informed and ethical practice when working with clients who wish to explore, experience conflict with, or are in distress regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity.
That report – the first in Ireland on conversion therapy – surveyed more than 250 people and included detailed interviews with seven who had undergone such practices. It detailed victims’ accounts of “traumatising”, “destructive”, “anxiety-provoking”, “horrendous”, “harmful” and “damaging” experiences of conversion therapy.