Swiss Government Backs Nationwide LGBT Conversion Therapy Ban

In early September 2026, the Swiss Federal Council published a report stating its readiness to support a nationwide ban on so-called conversion therapy—pseudoscientific practices aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.

Previously, the country’s authorities opposed a specific federal law. They argued that existing criminal, civil, and health laws already provided sufficient protection. However, the government has now changed its position to avoid legal fragmentation and a patchwork of different laws across various regions of the country.

Currently, bans on conversion therapy are already in effect in three cantons: Neuchâtel, Valais, and Vaud, with similar initiatives under consideration in 11 other cantons. The idea of a ban is also actively supported by society, including religious organizations: in May, the Swiss Bishops’ Conference and the Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland spoke out in favor of it.

Despite the lack of exact data on the prevalence of such practices in Switzerland, the Federal Council emphasized that they cause significant psychological harm. According to SWI swissinfo.ch , parliament must now grant the government a mandate to draft the law, for which the Council of States (the upper house of parliament) could revive work on a previously suspended related initiative.