Bill would make conversion therapies a crime in Spain

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1. The bill would punish with six months to two years in prison and a fine anyone who applies conversion therapies aimed at modifying, repressing, eliminating or denying a person's sexual orientation, sexual identity or gender expression, even with that person's consent. The penalty would be higher if the victim is a minor, if violence, intimidation or deception is used, if the offender acts as part of an organization, or for profit.
2. Parents, guardians or other caregivers who, knowing the purpose, consent to or facilitate these practices against minors or persons with disabilities could also be punished. The bill also provides for disqualification penalties: from parental authority, from jobs involving regular contact with minors, and from teaching, sports and leisure activities.
3. Companies (legal entities) found responsible for these crimes could face a fine of six months to two years and other penalties provided in the Criminal Code.
4. The bill also amends Law 4/2023 to ban granting subsidies, resources or public funds to individuals or entities convicted by final judgment for LGTBIphobia or for promoting or performing conversion therapies. The law would take effect the day after its publication in the Official State Gazette.

Who it affects

• LGTBI people subjected to conversion therapies, who would be protected by the new crime.: protection
• People who apply or perform these therapies, who could be sentenced to prison and a fine.: punishment
• Parents, guardians or caregivers who consent to or facilitate these practices against minors or persons with disabilities.: punishment
• Individuals and entities convicted of LGTBIphobia or conversion therapies, who could not receive public funds.: restriction

Words worth knowing

Terapias de conversión (conversion therapies)

Practices or treatments that seek to change or deny a person's sexual orientation, sexual identity or gender expression.

Ley orgánica (organic law)

A type of Spanish law reserved for major matters, such as criminal law, requiring a special vote in Congress.

Inhabilitación especial (special disqualification)

A penalty that bars someone from exercising a right, profession or role, such as parental authority, for a period of time.

Patria potestad (parental authority)

The set of rights and duties parents have over their minor children.

Sentencia firme (final judgment)

A court ruling that can no longer be appealed.

It summarizes the text passed by the full Congreso. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries