The Ministry of Equality welcomes the passing of the Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill 2025 and the Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2024, marking a significant milestone in the continued advancement of equality and human rights in Gibraltar.

The Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill 2025 prohibits practices which seek to change or suppress an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. The legislation reflects the Government's commitment to protecting the dignity, wellbeing and autonomy of LGBTQ+ people, while ensuring that legitimate therapeutic and healthcare conversations remain unaffected.

The Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2024 strengthens Gibraltar's hate crime legislation by extending existing protections to include transgender people. This ensures that crimes motivated by hostility towards a person's gender identity are recognised within the law and can be treated accordingly by the courts.

Together, these two pieces of legislation represent an important step in Gibraltar's ongoing work to build a society that is fairer, more inclusive and free from discrimination. They reinforce the Government's commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is able to live openly, safely and with dignity.

The Minister for Equality, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said: "The passing of these Bills marks an important milestone for equality in Gibraltar. This demonstrates our continued commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every member of our community. By extending hate crime protections to transgender people, we are strengthening our legal framework and reaffirming that hatred and intolerance will not be accepted in Gibraltar.

Conversion therapy has no place in a modern, inclusive society, and everyone should be able to live as their authentic selves without fear of discrimination, prejudice or violence. By passing this legislation, Gibraltar joins a small number of jurisdictions that have taken decisive legislative action to prohibit conversion therapy. It also means that Gibraltar has enacted these protections ahead of equivalent legislation in England and Wales, demonstrating our continued commitment to equality and human rights."

The Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders to promote equality, tackle discrimination and ensure that Gibraltar remains a welcoming and inclusive community for all.