Commission replies to the European Citizens Initiative to ban conversion practices

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the European Commission adopted a Communication responding  to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘Ban on conversion practices in the European Union’. This reply comes just four days ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), reiterating the Commission’s commitment to LGBTIQ+ rights and to building a true union of Equality.

Conversion practices rely on the false idea that LGBTIQ+ people are sick. These harmful interventions can result in long-lasting psychological and physical damage. According to the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency report, 24% of LGBTIQ+ people in the EU have experienced such practices, including physical and sexual violence, verbal abuse and humiliation. This figure almost doubles for trans women and men. The ECI – supported by 1.1 million EU citizens – requested the Commission to take action and propose a legal ban on conversion practices targeting LGBTQ+ citizens.

The Commission has analysed the legal possibilities and intends to adopt a Commission Recommendation, calling on EU Member States to ban conversion practices. Every member of the LGBTIQ+ community should be able to be who they are, live their life proudly, free from violence, discrimination and fear. The Commission will adopt its Recommendation in 2027, committing to support countries in their efforts to ban these harmful practices. The Commission will propose complementary measures, alongside the Recommendation.

President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Today we commit to adopting a Recommendation to Member States, urging them to ban conversion practices throughout the EU. They have no place in our Union. The EU proudly stands with the LGBTIQ+ community and reaffirms its vision of a Union of Equality, a place where everyone can live freely, openly and authentically.”

Next steps

Following this reply, the Commission will start work on the Recommendation. The Recommendation will be informed by a structured dialogue with Member States through the Expert Group on LGBTIQ+ equality and good practices from those Member States who have bans already in place. The work will also build on the ongoing in-depth study on conversion practices, with results expected in early 2027.

Background

The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) was introduced with the Lisbon Treaty as a tool for citizens to influence the EU agenda. It was officially launched in April 2012. Since then, the Commission has registered 129 initiatives, of which 14 have been successful in collecting one million signatures and were submitted to the Commission for examination. To be formally accepted, ECIs must propose legal action in areas where the Commission has competence and gather verified signatures from one million citizens, with minimum thresholds met in at least seven EU Member States. Once a successful ECI is submitted, the Commission has six months to issue a formal response. Today’s ECI is the 13^th to which the Commission has adopted a formal response.

While social acceptance of LGBTIQ+ people has increased in recent years across the EU, they continue to face unacceptable levels of discrimination, hate, and violence. Combating conversion practices is a key objective of the LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030, to protect LGBTIQ+ people from violence, abuse and hatred. The commitment to ban conversion practices was already set out in Commissioner Hadja Lahbib’s mission letter.

IDAHOT is celebrated to commemorate the World Health Organisation decision on 17 May 1990 to stop classifying homosexuality as a mental disorder. The date is an annual occasion to reiterate the EU’s commitment to ensure everyone can be their true self freely and safely, without judgement or coercion.

For more information

Banning conversion practices in the EU – Communication and Initiative page

Factsheet

European Citizens’ Initiatives currently collecting signatures

European Citizens’ Initiative Forum

How it works – European Citizens’ Initiative

LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030

FRA Report: LGBTIQ equality at a crossroads: progress and challenges

Implementation of the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025

Combatting Discrimination in the European Union – OECD report