Parliament has overturned its earlier approval of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, allowing the House to revisit the proposed 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 withdraw the House’s earlier resolution approving the bill on May 29, 2026.
He said the decision followed a review by Parliament’s Legislation Drafting Department, which uncovered discrepancies between the decisions taken by lawmakers during deliberations and the provisions contained in the final version of the bill.
“After the third reading, there is a department here we refer to as the Legislation Drafting Department. They are the drafters who draft all what we do here, the decisions we take,” Mr Bagbin told the House.
He said the department identified errors during its review but lacked the authority to correct them independently, as that would amount to changing decisions already made by Parliament.
“The draft people could put them right. But once there are decisions, they cannot tamper with the decision of the House. It has to be brought back for the House to do the proper thing,” he said.
The Speaker said the bill had consequently been referred back to the House to enable MPs to withdraw their earlier approval and rectify the identified inconsistencies.
“Those in favour, say aye. Those against, say no,” he said before announcing the outcome of the vote.
“Honourable members, 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 The House has accordingly rescinded its earlier decision, which was taken on Friday, May 29, 2026, in respect of the third reading of the Human, Sexual Rights, and Family Values Bill 2025,” Mr Bagbin declared.
The move allows Parliament to reconsider the bill, giving MPs another opportunity to introduce amendments, particularly to the proposed penalties and other provisions requiring clarification.
