The Netherlands Has Banned LGBTQ Conversion Therapy
Under the law, it will be illegal to carry out, offer or advertise conversion therapy practices.
The Netherlands has voted to ban conversion therapy, a widely discredited practice that seeks to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
So-called conversion therapy relies on the assumption that sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed or “cured.”
Some of these techniques include talk and behavioral therapy and medical treatments.
The practice has been rejected by medical associations, the United Nations, the World Health Organization and other rights groups, who say it causes harm to its victims and are calling for a global ban.
The Dutch Senate passed the bill on Tuesday, June 16, by 57 votes to 15, with three lawmakers abstaining.
Under the law, it will be illegal to carry out, offer or advertise conversion therapy practices.
People convicted of carrying out conversion practices can face a fine of up to €27,500 or up to one year in prison. The maximum sentence rises to two years if the acts are repeated or carried out by multiple people. Offering or advertising conversion therapy can carry up to six months in prison or a fine of up to €11,000.
The bill was backed by a coalition of eight Dutch LGBTQ and community organizations, including COC Nederland, the oldest existing LGBTQ organization in the world, and groups representing Christian LGBTQ and queer Muslim communities.
Ahead of the vote, campaigners submitted a petition signed by around 8,000 people calling on senators to support the ban.
COC Nederland said the vote brought “justice for victims who often suffer from conversion practices for life.”
COC told the government that there are around 15 active providers of conversion practices in the country.
Transgender Netwerk also welcomed the ban, saying: “Conversion practices change nothing about people’s sexual orientation or gender identity, but they do destroy victims.”
“My trauma will never go away, but I am very happy that other people will be spared this because of the ban,” campaigner Jacques Zonne, who has spoken publicly about being subjected to conversion practices, said.
The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001 and is now led by Rob Jetten, its first openly gay prime minister since November 2025.
The law has not yet come into force and will take effect on a date set by royal decree, according to the Senate bill page.
More On LGBTQ Rights In The Netherlands
Sofia Hou
Sofia Hou
