NDP seeking to ban conversion therapy with new fall bill

EDMONTON The NDP will introduce a bill this fall to ban so-called gay conversion therapy.

It is being developed by Edmonton-Castle Downs backbench MLA Nicole Goehring, who told Postmedia Tuesday that outlawing the controversial practice in Alberta will save lives.

“I heard from members of the LGBTQ+ community, their families, advocates and leadership from faith communities that banning conversion therapy was something they wanted,” she said.

Conversion therapy attempts to use psychological or spiritual intervention to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Kristopher Wells, an associate professor at MacEwan University, said almost every major psychological study has condemned conversion therapy, noting outcomes including lifelong depression, substance abuse and suicide.

If passed, the ban will bring Alberta in line with Manitoba and Ontario. Nova Scotia is also moving to prohibit conversion therapy.