The Spanish Parliament passed a law last week that makes the execution, promotion, and recruitment of so-called “conversion therapies” a crime. Anyone who uses methods, programs, or procedures aimed at changing or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression will face prison sentences ranging from six months to two years, along with fines.
Conservatives Abstain; Right-Wing Vote Against
Under the bill, it does not matter whether the affected person consented to the measures. Proponents argue that consent is often obtained under substantial social or family pressure. Until now, so-called “conversion therapies” in Spain were already banned, but violations were punished only as administrative offenses with fines.
Conservatives Abstain; Right-Wing Vote Against
The reform was approved in the lower house with 178 yes votes. 32 deputies from the right-wing populist party Vox voted against it, and 138 lawmakers, primarily from the conservative People’s Party (PP), abstained. The law now must also pass the Senate, where changes to the draft are possible.
Criticism beforehand came mainly from right-leaning forces and parts of the Catholic Church, who argued that the law encroached too much on religious freedom and the right to psychological counseling. The parliamentary majority, however, rejected these arguments, pointing to the protection of human dignity and the mental well-being of queer people.
With this regulation, Spain joins a growing number of European states that explicitly criminalize pseudoscientific methods intended to alter sexual orientation or gender identity. Germany had already passed such a law in 2021. However, that law was only a partial ban, prohibiting these interventions for adults only when the consent of those affected is compromised by an impairment of will — such as through deceit, error, coercion, or threats (TheColu.mn reported).
World Medical Association Warns Against “Conversion Therapies”
Medical organizations have warned for years that “conversion therapies” can have severe consequences. The World Medical Association reaffirmed that the “healing” of homosexuality or transgender identity is dangerous and unethical. Such methods are a “threat to the health and the human rights of those subjected to the practice,” according to a statement from 2023. These “therapies” do not work and can lead to negative health outcomes — including anxiety, depression, problems with intimacy, and suicide (TheColu.mn reported).
