Paul Boggs spoke of his experience of ‘blatant homophobia’ as he called for a ban on conversion therapy at Stormont this week.

The Sinn Féin MLA used his Maiden Speech to speak out in favour of Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson’s Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill that will outlaw the so-called ‘conversion’ of LGBTQIA+ citizens.

Mr. Boggs said the bill was ‘hugely important’ in that it would ban ‘harmful practices that emanate from a time when gay people were seen to be sick, sinful or shameful should never have had a place in society’.

"Through my teens and early twenties, I struggled with my sexuality. It is my experience that blatant homophobia in some sections of society inflicts even more fear, anxiety and distress on a person, no more so than in rural areas such as those that I represent across West Tyrone, where, for too long, people held conservative views. Thankfully, that, too, is changing for the better.

Paul Boggs with Sinn Féin colleagues including Ciara Ferguson and Caoimhe Archibald with members of The Rainbow Project as they called for a ban on conversion therapy at Stormont.

placeholder image — Paul Boggs with Sinn Féin colleagues including Ciara Ferguson and Caoimhe Archibald with members of The Rainbow Project as they called for a ban on conversion therapy at Stormont.

"Conversion practices clearly legitimise homophobia, and, therefore, so that every person, regardless of their sexual orientation, experiences compassion, we must ensure that further progress is made and that conversion practices are brought to an end. That would work towards the achievement of full LGBTQIA+ equality and the greater protection of vulnerable people,” he said.

The new West Tyrone MLA accused the unionist parties of stalling progress on ‘the outlawing of practices that have the sole aim of suppressing somebody's sexuality’.

"The positions and stances that some have taken over the years on LGBT rights have had an impact on vulnerable people, and the fact that conversion practices still exist today is a signal to some that who they are is not who they should be. People do not need to be fixed.

"However, society does. In my view, progress on LGBTQIA+ rights has been slowed down and stalled by some who do not want to see equality and basic human rights,” he said.

The former Sperrin DEA councillor urged MLAs to back the bill through its Second Stage.

"Whoever you are, whatever your sexuality and whatever the colour of your skin, Sinn Féin's message is clear. We see you, we hear you and we are committed to establishing a society built on rights and a society where everyone can live free from harassment,” he said.