Dept for Communities study on ‘conversion therapy’ branded “useless” by Christian charity

The Christian Institute has described a newly-published study into ‘Conversion Practices in Northern Ireland’ as “useless” and lacking “any kind of academic rigour”.

• The study was intended to influence policy on ‘conversion therapy’, yet it took evidence from only ten people.
• In 2022, the Department for Communities (under Deirdre Hargey MLA) commissioned research from controversial LGBT group, The Rainbow Project. Queen’s University, Ulster University, Cara-Friend and HERe NI also put their names to the study.
• A new law on ‘conversion therapy’ could criminalise Northern Ireland churches for offering moral guidance. The Christian Institute has previously warned the Stormont Executive that it will take legal action if proposals interfere with Christian freedom.

The report admits that barbaric practices like ‘electric shock treatment’ have not taken place in NI for half a century (p.6). Instead it features various examples of mainstream Christian beliefs and practice described as ‘conversion practices’ without any critique from the researchers. The first example given (p.6) is of someone who participated in “prayer, Bible studies and teaching”.

Some of the incidents described in the report, such as imprisonment, are already illegal under NI law. Others detail situations that could never be criminalised, such as conversations in the supermarket discouraging gender transition.

The LGBT groups leading the project appear to have struggled to recruit participants despite extensive social media campaigns. In the end some of those who took part were “recruited through the researchers’ networks”.

The Rainbow Project has expressed concern over aspects of the Cass Review. It also gives advice on its website to gay men on taking illegal drugs during group sex.

Acting Director of The Christian Institute Ciarán Kelly said:

“In an independent legal opinion for The Christian Institute, Jason Coppel KC is clear that the sort of ‘conversion therapy’ law being called for by LGBT activists is incompatible with NI’s human rights obligations.^[1]

“We wrote to the Minister for Communities in June 2021 providing this legal advice, making it clear that we ‘will not hesitate, where appropriate, to seek a judicial review’ if proposals from the Department interfere with the ordinary work of churches.^[2]

“This study is useless. It lacks any kind of academic rigour and should never be used to shape Government policy. By its own admission, it is not representative of the NI public and includes no literature review. All we have are selective odds and ends from conversations with a handful of people. It is impossible to take seriously.

“This is nothing more than activist ‘research’, branded with the campaign colours of a lobby group yet paid for by Northern Ireland’s hardworking taxpayers.

[1] https://www.christian.org.uk/human-rights-implications-of-proposals-to-ban-conversion-therapy/

[2] https://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Letter-to-Deirdre-Hargey-1.6.2021.pdf