Legal status of conversion "therapy" around the world
Legal situation in the world
Public policy towards conversion therapy varies from country to country, ranging from complete permission and even encouragement to a complete ban on any such practice.
Europe
Belgium: In 2023 the Law amending the Penal Code to criminalise conversion practise was adopted. Complete ban on conversion therapy.(Penal Code articles 311-315)
Cyprus: In May 2023 the Parliament of Cyprus passed a bill to ban “conversion therapy” incorporated in the Criminal Code Reform Act.(article 233B)
France: In January 2022 both the Senate and the National Chamber adopted the text of the Law banning practices aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person (Law n2022-92)
Albania: According to the rules of ethics of the National Association of Psychologists, the treatment is prohibited. (Official Statement)
Germany: A blanket ban on conversion therapy for minors, a legal ban on conversion therapy for adults if done under fraud or coercion.(Law on Protection against Conversion Treatment 2020)
Malta: Complete ban on conversion therapy.(Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act 2016 Section 3)
Greece: Any treatment intended to modify or suppress "sexual orientation" or "gender orientation, identity or expression" that has not been expressly consented to is forbidden. (the National Health System Law article 62 )
Iceland: The provision makes it a criminal offence to subject a person to so-called "suppression treatment" by force, deception or threats, to subject a child to such treatment in Iceland or abroad, as well as to carry out suppression treatments, encourage or receive money for them. ( Law amending the General Penal Code No. 19/1940 (Conversion Therapy 2023)
Netherlands: Conversion therapy is not subsidized or funded by the medical insurance in the Netherlands.
Norway: A bill was passed in December 2023 aiming to penalise the use of psychotherapeutic, medical, alternative medicine or religiously based methods or similar systematic procedures with the intention of influencing a person to change, deny or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity (Bill 132L)
Portugal: In December 2023 four separate bills were approved in a single text to penalise anyone who subjects another person to acts intended to alter or suppress their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.(Law No.15)
Spain: In 2023, both chambers of the Parliament approved the Law No.4 for the bans "conversion therapies", which are classified as a "very serious infraction" by article 79.
Switzerland: According to the government, the prohibition falls under the therapist’s obligation to adhere to the rules of ethics, and therefore such a therapist is exposed to anti-criminal activity.
England: Regular government activity against conversion therapy.
America
Brazil: As of now the Resolution No 1/99 prohibits all licensed psychologists to practice in events or services offering a "gay cure” (the resolution was issued by the Federal Council of Psychology).
Canada: Nationwide law has formally banned conversion therapy in 2022.(Bill C-4)
Chile: Treatment that is against the ethics of the Chilean Ministry of Health.
Ecuador: Prohibited under the law for the prevention of torture (article 151(3) of the Penal Code).
Mexico: In June 2024 a Decree was published punishing "conversion therapy up to 6 years of imprisonment, aggravating penalties when the victim is a child. (article 209 Quintus to the federal Criminal Code)
USA: Prohibited in 27 states by law and more than 100 municipalities have instituted bans on conversion therapy and its governmental funding. Moreover APA (American Psychiatric Association) opposes the practice of “reparative” or conversion therapies
Asia and Oceania
Australia: The Australian Psychological Society (APS) strongly opposes any form of mental health practice that tries to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender. Any psychologist attempting to do so is likely to be in breach of the APS Code of Ethics.
China: The Supreme Court has ruled several times in favor of patients for compensation and an apology, but has not set an official directive
Fiji: Under Section 3(1)(d) of the Mental Health Act legally prohibits health professionals, especially psychiatrists, from engaging in conversion therapy. (Decree No. 54 2010)
India: This is against the position of the Indian Psychiatric Association. (W.P. No 7284)
Samoa: Section 2 of the Mental Health Act (2007) prevents health professionals, in particular psychiatrists, from legally engaging in the provision of "conversion therapies".
Africa
South Africa: Against the position of the country’s Psychiatric Association. (PsySSA)
In many other countries, the issue is under public and/or legislative debate.
In addition to these, the World Psychiatric Association has banned its members from performing conversion therapy, as has the Pan American Health Organization, which is The regional arm of the World Health Organization for North and South America.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has adopted legislation to ban conversion practices. It states that countries should "establish criminal sanctions... based on a clear and comprehensive definition of the prohibited practices."