France: Ban on "Conversion Therapy" Does Not Target Abusers but Breaches Parental Rights
On January 25, the French National Assembly unanimously approved a "conversion therapy" law, introducing prison sentences and high fines for those convicted of trying to change the sexual orientation or identity of LGBT+ people. Whereas the abusive practices mentioned in the law have never occurred in France, the broadly written law does not mention conversion therapy organizations or possible perpetrators, but it prohibits parents from refusing hormonal therapies or even questioning their children about their doubts about their identity. A Child psychiatrist, Christian Flavigny, warned that this law will hinder any reflection on children in deep distress and disqualify the parent-child bond.
The organization "La Manif Pour Tous" has denounced that the law was presented as targeting the abusive practices that - everyone agrees - should be illegal and are practices that have not existed in France, even more, the terrible treatments known as "conversion therapy" have only been known to have happened in the United States. On the other side, it seems that the bill specifically targets to regulate parents, grandparents and health professionals of a minor.
"Indeed, the bill does not target the organizers of such therapy, and moreover, neither the term "conversion therapy", nor their possible organisers, are mentioned in the text. It targets in particular "direct ascendants" of a minor, i.e. parents and grandparents, as well as health professionals."
The law prohibits "practices, behavior or repeated statements aimed at modifying or repressing a person's true or assumed gender orientation or gender identity". Due to this broad language, the law is prohibiting parents to take their role as educators by providing their advice on the possible idea of their child changing gender or sex. The bill dissuades parents and doctors from intervening by threatening heavy sanctions, which breaches parental rights.
On January 25, 2022, the National Assembly approved the law unanimously, after being supported by France's Assembly in October and by senators in December. People offering LGBT+ conversion therapy could face up to two years in prison and fines up to 30,000€. Tougher sentences will be applied if underage or vulnerable individuals are involved: the fines rise to 45,000€ and prison sentences to three years.
Source: Reuters EuroNews France 24, La Manif pour Tous
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