Parliament approves ban and criminalization of sexual conversion therapy

This Thursday, Parliament approved in a final global vote a diploma that prohibits and criminalizes acts aimed at forcing a change in sexual orientation or gender identity.

The final text refers to the bills PS, Bloco de Esquerda, Livre and PAN and had the support, in addition to supporters, of the Liberal Initiative and the PCP, but received a vote against the PSD and Chega.

The law amends the Criminal Code to prohibit “any act aimed at forcibly changing sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.”

“Anyone who subjects another person to acts intended to change or suppress his sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, including the performance or promotion of medical-surgical procedures, practices using pharmacological, psychotherapeutic or other psychological or behavioral resources, is punishable by imprisonment.” punishment up to 3 years or a fine,” the final text says.

If they involve permanent physical changes, the prison sentence can be up to five years.

Penalties are increased if the crimes are committed by more than one person, if the victim is under 16, under 14 or is a particularly vulnerable person, and in other situations.

A person convicted of these crimes may also be prohibited from performing functions that involve regular contact with minors, as well as from accepting the trust of a minor, whether through adoption, foster care, civil sponsorship, or other type of guardianship, for a period of two to twenty years. . years.

It is also planned to conduct research into practices aimed at changing, restricting or suppressing sexual orientation, gender identity or expression in Portugal, their impact on the physical and mental health of victims, and to conduct research into the number of victims throughout the country. territory.