A proposed bill in Northern Ireland aims to ban conversion practices related to sexuality and gender, potentially imposing a two-year prison sentence for offenders. Introduced to the assembly recently, the legislation has sparked debate, with advocates arguing it protects LGBT individuals from harmful practices, while opponents question its necessity and potential overreach.
Matthew Hyndman, a prominent advocate, shared his personal experiences with conversion attempts, highlighting the pressure faced within religious communities. The bill's timeline is tight, needing to pass all legislative stages by March before the next election, with expected opposition from some political and religious groups.