Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The film "Boy Erased" is yet another unmasking of the cruelty of so-called conversion therapy. It is a vile practice designed to suppress, change or eliminate a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The practice has been condemned and discredited by the UN Committee Against Torture, European Parliament and Irish Council for Psychotherapy. On 6 March, the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy released a statement that condemned the practice of so-called conversion therapy. This was in the aftermath of a screening of "Once Gay: Matthew and Friends" in Townsend Street Presbyterian Church in west Belfast. We know well that conversion therapy leads to depression, anxiety, homelessness and suicide. I have been in constant engagement with the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, whose Department is working towards amendments to the Sinn Féin legislation.It has been co-signed by all parties and many Independents in this House. I raise it because it is a key commitment under the LGBTI youth strategy. That strategy was launched in June of last year by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, in Temple Bar. The strategy will conclude in 2020 so we are halfway through it. Can we schedule statements with the Minister in this House regarding progress on the LGBTI youth strategy 2018-2020?