Norwegian Minister surprised by criticism towards conversion ban

Anette Trettebergstuen, Culture and Equality Minister, is not happy with the commentary of Aftenposten's editor Andreas Slettholm. Aftenposten is Norway's leading newspaper, with a liberal-conservative background.

Slettholm was critical of the controversial law proposal that would ban conversion therapy. Christians fear that this law would also make it punishable to talk about LGBT matters in a pastoral context. In his commentary, Slettholm asked whether the government wants to punish parents for being sceptical about children’s gender reassignment.

That conservative Christians would oppose the bill was expected. However, that Aftenposten also questions the bill is surprising, says Trettebergstuen.

Complicated

The Minister acknowledges that the bill raises several complicated criminal law and human rights issues. “We know that the proposal goes a long way compared to other countries’ bans. That is the intention because we do not just want a ban on conversion therapy for children, as other countries have. We want to go further than the previous government”, she writes.

Trettebergstuen has received criticism, both in the press and in the Storting, for her statement that the Department of Justice’s legal department should have “blessed” the bill. This is even though the legal department stated to the Solberg government last year that a ban affecting voluntary adults would “probably” involve a disproportionate interference with the right to privacy and freedom of religion. This reports the Norwegian Christian daily Dagen.

According to Trettebergstuen, a ban on prayer is a bit over the top. “But where exactly the line should go and when, for example, an intercessory prayer becomes so intrusive that it becomes harmful, is not given. I therefore warmly welcome a debate on boundaries, adjustments and clarifications.”

Ban

The Solberg government last year came up with a bill banning conversion therapy for children under 16 or 18 years of age. Trettebergstuen was then very critical that the government did not go far enough.

In June this year, Trettebergstuen put forward a new bill which entails a total ban on conversion therapy, also in the case of consenting adults. This government’s bill also involves a significantly tougher penalty framework compared to the Solberg government’s.

The consultation deadline for the legislative proposal expired on 10 October, and it is expected that the proposal will be submitted for consideration in the Storting in the spring.