Parliament has reversed its earlier approval of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, allowing lawmakers to revisit the legislation and correct inconsistencies identified in its provisions. Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced the decision on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, following a vote by MPs to rescind the House’s previous resolution on the bill, which was passed on May 29, 2026.
Mr Bagbin explained that the decision was prompted by a review conducted by Parliament’s Legislation Drafting Department, which uncovered discrepancies between decisions made by lawmakers during deliberations and the provisions contained in the final version of the bill.
Addressing the House, the Speaker noted that although the drafting department had identified the errors through its review process, it lacked the authority to independently amend them because doing so would interfere with decisions formally taken by Parliament. He stressed that the matter had to be returned to the House for MPs to reconsider their earlier position and make the necessary corrections. Following a vote, Mr Bagbin confirmed that the motion to rescind the previous decision had been carried.
“The ayes have it. The House has accordingly rescinded its earlier decision, which was taken on Friday, May 29, 2026, in respect of the third reading of the Human, Sexual Rights, and Family Values Bill 2025,” he declared. The development effectively reopens the legislative process, giving MPs another opportunity to examine the bill, propose amendments and resolve the identified inconsistencies.
Further consideration is expected to focus on provisions requiring clarification, particularly those relating to sentencing and other contentious aspects of the legislation.
