In France, conversion therapies - according to a decision of the National Assembly - are to be banned in the future
It is an important statement and a decision in the right direction: conversion therapies are to be banned in France in the future. The National Assembly voted and thus laid the foundation for more equality and less discrimination against queers. However, the corresponding law is not yet "completely through". In order for it to finally come into force, the Senate must now deliberate and pass its verdict.
In any case, it is particularly encouraging in this context that the National Assembly voted unanimously. There was no one who felt that homosexuality might need to be "cured" after all. Accordingly, it remains all the more exciting to see how the Senate will decide.
"Homo cures" could be criminalized
However, the proposal, which refers to the ban on conversion therapies, does not "merely" intend to put a stop to the practice, but goes one step further.
Anyone who defies the law (assuming it is ultimately enacted) will then be liable in France to a custodial sentence of up to two years' imprisonment plus a fine (up to 30,000 euros). (Exception: the victim is still a minor. In this case, a significantly higher fine would be imposed).
However, in order for the penalties to be enforced in the first place - also according to the proposal - it would be a prerequisite that the victims concerned have been physically or psychologically harmed by the respective acts. Doctors who participate in the respective practices should also be punished with a ban from practicing their profession for several years.
The broad concept of "healing
How strong and how far-reaching language can be is shown by the fact that in connection with the so-called "conversion therapies" the term "homo-cure" or "homosexualcure" has become established.
"Cure" presupposes, after all, that the persons concerned must have been "sick" beforehand.
Accordingly, homosexuality or queerness is generally regarded as a disease and the respective person as a "patient". This view results above all from the fact that same-sex love was actually regarded for a long period of time as a disease and mental disorder that had to be cured. Not infrequently, clergymen were also involved in the corresponding procedures.
It was not until 2018, however, that the Vatican set an example and declared that homosexuals were by no means sick and therefore the corresponding "cures" were not endorsed by the Church.
In the same year, other sections of the public became aware of this issue, as films such as "The Prodigal Son" were released, among others, about coming to terms with the experiences gained during therapies.
Laws around conversion therapies in other countries
As scary as it may sound, there are still quite a few countries where "gay cure" is not yet banned. Germany's legislation is repeatedly criticized in this context, as it does not go far enough for many queers. According to the relevant guidelines, it is only forbidden to expose young people to the corresponding therapies. Special regulations apply to adults. Or in other words: if the adult concerned is not able to express his or her own attitude towards the therapy, he or she may not be treated either.
The penalties that could be imposed in Germany for failure to comply with the law are similar to proposals recently put forward in France.
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