It shows a new study prepared by Als Research. And against that background, the government wants to investigate the possibility of banning conversion therapy for young people under 16 years of age.
It writes the Ministry of Employment in a press release.
– No one should be converted from their sexuality or gender identity, and we are now sending a very clear and distinct signal about that. We owe it to the children and young people who experience conversion therapy to respond. That is why we are acting now, says Minister of Employment and Gender Equality Peter Hummelgaard (S) in the announcement.
The study was prepared by Als Research on the basis of data from 2015 and 2020.
It also shows that three percent of LGBT people who are minorities in gender or sexuality have experienced that family has tried to “cure” the LGBT people for their sexual orientation or gender identity.
It can be done through the help of a doctor, a psychologist, a religious counselor, or through the use of religious or spiritual rituals.
Experiences with attempts at “repentance” are associated with markedly and severely increased risk of mental dissatisfaction, loneliness, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, the ministry writes in the announcement.
In Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada, conversion therapy is banned.
In November, the then Minister for Gender Equality, Mogens Jensen, said that the government would investigate the scope and spread of the so-called conversion therapy.
And on the basis of the new figures from Als Research, the government will now investigate the possibility of banning conversion therapy of young people in Denmark.
A similar bill has been criticized in Norway for only applying to persons under 18 years of age. Critics point out that it is still legal to practice conversion therapy on people over 18 years of age.
Source: The Nordic Page