What happened?
On Thursday, ITV received a leak of a Downing Street newsletter entitled Conversion Therapy Handling Plan, which reported [prime minister] has agreed that we should not proceed with the legislation “. The newspaper recommended blaming the change on “cost of living pressures and the crisis in Ukraine.” A government spokesman confirmed that it was considering ways to prevent it through existing legislation and “other non-legislative measures”. But after a furious reaction from the militants to a ban, Johnson quickly made a second U-turn. The government said legislation would be introduced in the queen’s speech in May – but would only cover sexual orientation and rule out gender discomfort.
What are conversion practices?
A report by leading lawyers and human rights experts published in October described conversion practices as attempts to “suppress,” cure “or change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.” Such practices “are driven by a false belief that being gay or transgender is wrong, is degrading and psychologically damaging, and constitutes a serious violation of the basic human rights of LGBT + individuals under international law,” Ken wrote to the Guardian. It is sometimes called “conversion therapy”, “remedial therapy” or “gay therapy”. Conversion practices include counseling and psychotherapy, prayer to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and exorcism – including beatings and psychological trauma.
How common are conversion practices?
It is difficult to know how widespread these practices are, as many forms take place behind closed doors and victims are often too injured to talk about their experiences. However, a national LGBTQ + survey conducted by the government in 2018 found that about 5% of the 108,000 respondents said they had been offered some form of “conversion therapy” while 2% had undergone it. People from ethnic minorities were twice as likely to be affected. About 10% of Christian respondents and 20% of Muslims said they had undergone or were offered conversion therapy, compared with 6% without religion. More than half said it was conducted by a faith group, while one in five received treatment from health professionals. Nearly one in 10 trans men said he had been offered conversion treatment and one in 25 said he had undergone it.
Why is there a push for a ban on conversion practices?
The NHS and other professional bodies have warned that all forms of conversion practices are “immoral and potentially harmful”. Dr Adrian James, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the conversion practices were “unacceptable and harmful” and the college supported the ban. In the Queen’s last speech in May 2021, the Johnson’s government described the conversion practices as “coercive and repulsive”. A YouGov poll released last May found that almost two-thirds (64%) of British adults believe that conversion practices should be banned. Support was across the political spectrum and in all age groups, according to the survey of 1,803 adults. In 2017, the Church of England condemned conversion practices and called on the government to ban them, saying they “have no place in the modern world”. Jayne Ozanne, a leading anti-government activist who resigned as an LGBTQ + adviser to the government because of the ban, suffered two injuries and two spells at the hospital after suffering “mental abuse” in an attempt to “free” her. her sexual orientation. “It made me ashamed of my sexuality, guilty, sinful, desperate – but mostly deep depression, which led to collapse. “I could not work,” he said in 2017.
Who is against the ban?
Some religious groups have opposed the move, saying the government should not set limits on the content of prayers and that a ban would restrict freedom of religion. The evangelical churches hailed the initial overthrow of the government on Thursday, saying it was “a great relief to many Christians”. Graham Nichols, director of Affinity Church Cooperation, said: “As Christians we will continue to have the freedom to teach our children and the churches to continue the loving, compassionate practice of Orthodox Christian ministry, including the teaching of biblical understanding and Wedding”. In addition to religion, some believed that the legislation would have a negative impact on speech therapy for young people trying to navigate complex identity issues.
Why are trans people excluded now?
Nikki da Costa, the former director of legal affairs at No. 10, told the BBC on Friday that a ban would have “profound consequences for children struggling with gender discomfort”. It would create a situation where doctors, therapists, and even parents would be prevented from exploring with a child any feelings about what else might be happening, for fear of trying to change a child’s identity. That fact must be taken into account. “ But the Peter Tuchel Foundation accused the prime minister of “throwing trans people under the bus.” He said: “We feel cheated and deceived. “The prime minister has made a decision to appease transgender people who oppose the protection of trans people and who support efforts to convert them to gender. It’s like an attempt to spark trans cultural wars for political gain in the run-up to the next election.”
What’s happening now?
The Queen’s speech next month will introduce legislation banning sexual orientation-related conversion practices – but will not cover trans people.
