Tory MPs Condemn Delay to Ban on LGBTQ+ Conversion Practices

THE GUARDIAN: Letter from cross-party MPs and campaigners says slow progress on legislation is a ‘moral failing’

Senior Conservative MPs have accused the government of a “moral failing” for delaying the long-promised ban on conversion practices that they say damage the lives of LGBT+ people.

In a letter to Rishi Sunak, a cross-party group of politicians and campaigners criticised the slow progress in bringing forward new legislation since the pledge was made five years ago.

The increased pressure on the prime minister and his equalities minister, Kemi Badenoch, came amid further wrangling over the contents of advice to schools on how to deal with pupils questioning their gender.

The advice was planned for release before the end of the summer term. However, there is still concern among some Tory MPs over whether schools should be forced in all cases to inform parents if a child reveals they are questioning their gender. » | Aubrey Allegretti | Monday, July 17, 2023

Related.

Anderson Debates Texas GOPer on Reparative Therapy

Anderson Cooper asks Bryan Hughes, a Texas state representative, about why the state GOP is embracing reparative therapy

‘Gay Conversion Therapist’ Comes Out: Exclusive Interview | Reupload

Jan 31, 2019 He was a leader of the controversial 'gay conversion therapy' movement in the United States - so it came as a shock when David Matheson publicly came out as gay.

For decades, Mr Matheson - a Mormon - ran retreats offering therapy to suppress or manage sexuality, - claiming to help people live as straight men rather than gay.

In an exclusive interview with this programme he's now conceded that the practice, which almost 700,000 Americans have undergone, is not only built on a harmful philosophy but should be banned.

We are also joined from New York by Chaim Levin, who twice attended retreats co-founded by David Matheson.

Arguing the Case for Gay Conversion Therapy - Victoria Derbyshire | 2015

Apr 23, 2015 • Gay conversion therapy has been labelled "potentially harmful and unethical" by various health organisations, including NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Earlier this month President Obama called for an end to such therapies in the United States. So should it be banned in the UK? Patrick Strudwick, LGBT Editor at Buzzfeed, underwent gay conversion therapy whilst filming undercover. Mike Davidson is Director of the Core Issues Trust an organisation which recently ran a Gay Conversion Seminar in London.

Anderson Debates Texas GOPer on Reparative Therapy | 2014

Jun 12, 2014 • Anderson Cooper asks Bryan Hughes, a Texas state representative, about why the state GOP is embracing reparative therapy.

The Guardian View on Banning ‘Conversion Therapy’: Protect Everyone

THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: These cruel, stigmatising practices should be comprehensively proscribed

A Reclaim Pride march in July 2021. Photograph: Getty
“On reflection, it was something he cared passionately about.” This was the absurd explanation from a Downing Street spokesperson of the prime minister’s partial U-turn on scrapping a ban on conversion practices. The outcry at dropping the promised legislation prompted him to restore it, but it will now be limited to sexual orientation. Transgender conversion practices will not be included.

Boris Johnson’s convictions have always been largely a matter of convenience. But the abhorrence most people feel towards conversion practices is deeply rooted. And it is most; in a YouGov poll, more than 62% of voters wanted the banning of these practices targeting both sexuality and gender identity. People recognise that conversion “therapy” is no such thing: this is about shaming and suppression. Sometimes families force it upon individuals. In other cases, they may seek it out under pressure, or because they have been made to feel that there is something “wrong” with them.

At the extreme, these practices may extend to verbal and physical abuse. More often, government research finds, they mean attempting to “pray the gay away”, or talking therapies. Either way, they seek to extinguish a person’s understanding of who they are, and increase stigma. The research notes growing evidence that such practices are statistically associated with poor mental health outcomes, including suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. » | Editorial | Sunday, April 17, 2022

Is This the End for Gay Conversion Therapy? – Newsnight | 2015

The 'Culture War' of Gay Conversion Therapy - Victoria Derbyshire

Apr 23, 2015 • Gay conversion therapy is a fiercely-contested topic - advocates claim it's not harmful but it's been condemned by UK health organisations. BBC's Benjamin Zand gained exclusive access to a seminar in London which looked at controversial gay conversion therapies. There had been calls for the conference, which was billed as "exploring unwanted same-sex attractions", to be banned - with campaigners saying there should be no place in the UK for people to teach that being gay is something that's wrong and should be cured. Earlier this month President Obama called for an end to 'gay conversion therapies' in the States.

In the UK - gay conversion is NOT illegal - but various health organisations - including NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists - describe the treatment as "potentially harmful and unethical". So should it be banned?

Prominent Gay Conversion Therapist Comes Out and Leaves Wife of 30 Years | Good Morning Britain

Feb 5, 2019 • David Matheson is a former gay conversion therapist who has recently come out as gay himself. He talks to GMB about realising his sexuality and how he was brought up as a Mormon.

Wales and Scotland Vow to Press Ahead with Trans-inclusive Conversion Therapy Bans

Wales and Scotland to press ahead with conversion therapy bans (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
PINK NEWS: The devolved governments in Wales and Scotland have expressed their commitment to banning “draconian” conversion therapy in all forms, in spite of Boris Johnson.

Johnson was widely condemned after first U-turning on plans to ban conversion therapy, before changing tack and promising that a ban would be forthcoming – though reportedly, it will now not include trans conversion therapy.

After initially stating that the government would pursue non-legislative measures against conversion therapy, a spokesperson told PinkNews on Friday (1 April): “The government has a proud record on LGBT rights, and the prime minister is committed to bringing forward legislation to ban conversion therapy.

“The content, scope and timing of the proposed bill will be confirmed in due course.” Representatives for Wales and Scotland have both released official statements affirming their commitments to banning conversion therapy in the wake of the two U-turns.

Though Scotland is not affected by Boris Johnson’s plans – the UK government had already said its ban would be for England and Wales only – a minister said in a statement that the practice has “no place in our society”.

Christina McKelvie, minister for equalities and older people, said: “Conversion practices that try to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity are harmful, discriminatory, and have no place in our society. » | Emily Chudy | Friday, April 1, 2022

Undercover Investigation Exposes Current Face of Gay Conversion Therapy | 60 Minutes Australia

Sep 15, 2019 • These days in Australia, and other western countries, isn’t it a given that we make our own choices about our sexuality? Not only that, but whatever those decisions, isn’t it guaranteed that they will be respected and supported? Surprisingly the answer is often no. Some fundamentalist churches still actively preach that homosexuality is a sin, and they think a bizarre mix of prayer and threat is the way to fix it. As Sarah Abo reports in a special 60 MINUTES investigation, a form of gay conversion therapy continues to be practised on mainly young Australians who have been deemed “broken” by church ministers and counsellors. But shamefully, far from doing God’s work, these people are causing lifelong damage.

How Conversion Therapy Affects Your Mental Health

Oct 10, 2017 • There’s a lot of controversy around its use and legality — particularly with minors — but what effects does it have on a person’s well-being?

Conversion Therapy Survivor Describes Treatment as 'Torture' | CBC News

Jul 13, 2019 • The federal government is looking at ways to reform the Criminal Code in order to 'combat conversion therapy.'

The Dark History of Gay Conversion Therapy

Conversion Therapy: Ban to Go-ahead but Not Cover Trans People

BBC: The government insists it will ban so-called conversion therapy for gay or bisexual people in England and Wales - but not for transgender people.

It comes hours after it had said it would drop the ban entirely.

The announcement that it would explore "non-legislative measures" to prevent the practice prompted a furious response from LGBT groups and many MPs.

According to NHS England, conversion therapy tries to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

A senior government source has told the BBC the ban will feature in the next Queen's Speech.

Just hours earlier, a government spokesperson had said the ban would be dropped and they would instead review ways to stop conversion therapy practices through existing law and "other non-legislative measures".

But news that ministers are now only planning to ban conversion therapy for cisgender people - those whose gender identity is in-line with their biological sex - has been met with criticism from some MPs and charities.

The Rainbow Project, said any ban that didn't include transgender people was "not a real ban". Labour MP Nadia Whittome said it was "still not good enough", before adding: "LGB comes with the T, and the Tories are not on our side". » | Sophie Gallagher & Josh Parry, BBC News | Friday, April1, 2022

Related.

What are LGBTQ+ conversion practices and why is there a push to ban them?: Boris Johnson performed two U-turns on Thursday about Tory pledge to ban LGBT conversion practices »

As a lesbian woman, I was subjected to conversion practices. We must protect trans people against this abuse: Trans people are nearly twice as likely as lesbian and gay people to undergo interventions that range from prayers to forced rape »

Boris Johnson Ditches Conversion Therapy Ban in Shameful U-turn

Boris Johnson attends a memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey on 29 March 2022 in London, England. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty)
PINK NEWS: Boris Johnson has ditched his long-promised conversion therapy ban.

ITV News reported that an official briefing document confirms Johnson “has agreed we should not move forward with legislation to ban LGBT conversion therapy”.

This is despite a ban on the practice being announced in the Queen’s Speech last year, and the government running a major consultation on the issue.

A government spokesperson confirmed: “Having explored this sensitive issue in great depth the government has decided to proceed by reviewing how existing law can be deployed more effectively to prevent this in the quickest way possible, and explore the use of other non-legislative measures.”

Theresa May first promised to outlaw the practice in 2018.

The leaked document suggests the U-turn will be announced in May’s Queen’s Speech, and that the Ukraine war could be used as justification. . » | Reiss Smith | Thursday, March 31, 2022

This is indeed shameful! It shows us clearly that the man is duplicitous, unprincipled and weak. – Mark

Related article.

New Zealand Bans Dehumanising Conversion Therapy in Landslide Vote

New Zealand passes conversion therapy ban while UK continues to delay (Mark Mitchell-Pool/Getty Images)
PINK NEWS: New Zealand’s parliament has near-unanimously passed legislation that bans LGBT+ conversion therapy, with a government minister stating that it marks a “great day for New Zealand’s rainbow communities”.

Reuters reported that the bill passed on Tuesday (15 February) with 112 votes in favour and eight votes opposed.

“This is a great day for New Zealand’s rainbow communities,” minister of justice Kris Faafoi said.

“Conversion practices have no place in modern New Zealand.”

Under the legislation, it will be an offence to perform conversion therapy where the practices have caused “serious harm”, and offenders can be subject to up to five years imprisonment.

When the victim is a child or young person aged under 18, or someone with impaired decision-making capacity, conversion therapy will automatically be an offence, and will be subject to up to three years imprisonment.

The ban on conversion therapy follows recent comprehensive bans in France, Canada, and Albania, while campaigners in the UK pushing for an end to conversion therapy have been met with years of delays. » | Emily Chudy | Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Praise Ye the Lord! Enlightenment in the English-speaking world has had to come from the Antipodes! Kudos to Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand. BoJo, take some lessons!

That the so-called civilized world has tolerated this barbaric and extremely cruel nonsense for so long is an absolute disgrace. No civilized person worth his salt would endorse such a barbaric practice!

If, indeed, there is a need for any ‘conversion therapy’, it is for the need to bring straight people into line with the Enlightenment! If anyone needs conversion therapy, it is these ignorant, backword, cruel and insensitive people; indeed, perhaps they need to be brainwashed of their backward ideas and thoughts!

Sensible people, whether gay or straight, should celebrate this legal decision in New Zealand. The New Zealanders have done the civilized world a great favour: They have brought enlightenment into a world in which the lights are dimming by the day. Bravo, Jacinda Ardern! – © Mark

BYU Electroshock Documentary | Gay Conversion Therapy Program

Mar 26, 2020 • Originally produced by Gentile Pictures in 1996, this documentary, titled: Legacies, features the personal stories of four men who were subjected to vomit, electrocution, and visual therapies at Brigham Young University.

Under the direction of BYU President, Dallin H. Oaks and other BYU administrators, the therapies were designed to rid BYU students of their homosexuality.

To date there is no evidence or personal accounts that acknowledge the conversion therapy programs were successful. Contrarily, victims of this abuse have experienced physical and emotional damage. Some even took their lives as a result of the therapy.


How barbaric! How unenlightened! How ignorant! How backward! How dangerous! How cruel! One can only pity these poor men who had to suffer through such demeaning and dangerous treatment. – © Mark

'Boy Erased': Joel Edgerton & Garrard Conley on Portraying the Family in Gay Conversion-Therapy Drama

Oct 30, 2018 • Joel Edgerton and "Boy Erased" author Garrard Conley talk with Access about the film getting early Oscar buzz. Why do they feel Garrard's story of his experience with gay conversion therapy is especially important in today's political climate?

I Was Told to 'Pray the Gay Away' | This Morning

At just nineteen, Garrard Conley was sent to one of America’s most notorious conversion camps which specialised in ‘praying the gay away’. Pushing Garrard to the brink of suicide, it took him several years to finally come to terms with his real identity and settle down with his husband. Broadcast on 12/06/2018