Ban on Conversion Therapy

After five years of delays by four Prime Ministers, the UK Government has failed to deliver legislation to ban conversion therapy. Prior to October’s King’s Speech, it was reported that the Government would re-confirm its pledge to ban conversion therapy. However, the final speech neglected to make any mention of the long-awaited ban on the use of conversion practices.

So-called ‘conversion therapy’ or conversion practices, which include any interventions “that seek to change, ‘cure’ or suppress the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person”, have been shown to be harmful and are not effective in changing sexual orientation or gender identity. These practices are unethical, harmful and widely refuted by evidence. In addition, over 60% of the British public think that conversion therapy should be banned(YouGov, 2022).

There is a surprising proportion of LGBTQ+ people in Britain that have been encouraged to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Galop’s recent study found 18% of LGB people (nearly 1 in 5) and 42% of trans people experienced conversion practices. Conversion practices can have devastating impact on the mental health of those who experience them. The mental health charity Mind, published a report on the devastating impact on the mental health of those who have experienced conversion practices “have reported having suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and feelings of guilt, shame, and self-hatred.”  A study conducted by Blosnich in 2020 found that people who had undergone conversion practices were twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts and 75% more likely to plan to attempt suicide. These startling statistics show the severity of the impact of these practices and why there is such an urgency from campaigners and LGBT+ charities to call on the government for an immediate and comprehensive ban.

Former PM Theresa May first promised to ban conversion therapy five years ago in July 2018 and the Government has repeatedly failed to act on this promise. Since then, they have held two separate consultations in 2021 and a further in 2022 and former PM Boris Johnson U-turned twice on the government’s promises and offered a ban excluding transgender people. Consequently, Theresa May delivered a warning in June 2022 that the Government needed to avoid backsliding on the issue and stick to its commitment while at three advisors on the government’s LGBT advisory panel advisory quit since 2021 over the lack of a conversion therapy ban being delivered.

Britain is increasingly isolated in this position with eight other countries including France, Germany, Canada and Spain all delivering a ban on abusive practices since the UK Government promised a ban in 2018. Conversion therapies are widely considered to be a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights outlined that so-called conversion therapies are inappropriate, damaging, and should not be allowed.

Jayne Ozanne, a leading campaigner for a ban and a survivor of conversion practices, said: “I’m extremely angry that the government has continued to promise action, but has consistently delivered only obfuscation and delay. It would seem that this government has no intention of protecting them [LGBT+ youth] and cannot be trusted to deliver on their promises. To be aware of harm, to have the power to protect and to choose to do nothing is a total moral failing.”

The continued practice of conversion therapy impacts LGBT+ communities everywhere. Let’s come together as a community in Tower Hamlets to stand together alongside campaigners and charities calling upon the government to deliver a ban on conversion therapy. Let’s also stand together in solidarity with the trans+ community to ensure their safety and rights are not cast aside.