The Church of Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to ban conversion therapy, following a vote at its annual General Assembly. The denomination’s ‘Faith Impact Forum’ brought the motion, which also endorses the definition of conversion therapy used in the ‘2017 Memorandum of Understanding on conversion therapy’ (MOU). But if the definition was adopted… Continue reading Church of Scotland backs law that could criminalise ministers
Category: Blog
Alicia Kearns’ response to Govt conversion therapy plans reveals confusion amongst activists
Last month, the Westminster Government announced that they would not include transgender conversion therapy in a conversion therapy ban. But Tory MP Alicia Kearns is far from happy. In an article published in The Times, she says that trans must be covered by a conversion therapy ban and insists that “this is not about enforcing… Continue reading Alicia Kearns’ response to Govt conversion therapy plans reveals confusion amongst activists
Banning conversion therapy = banning torture?
Activists pushing for a broad ban say ‘conversion therapy is torture’. The Ban Conversion Therapy campaign was launched in July 2020 with an open letter to the Women and Equalities Minister Liz Truss. It claimed: “…conversion therapy is torture”. “Let’s end it now. …until you do, torture will continue to take place on British soil”.… Continue reading Banning conversion therapy = banning torture?
Can you be a Christian without conversion?
It seems supporters of the conversion therapy ban want to outlaw any kind of prayer or pastoral support which seeks to guide a person toward a biblical understanding of sexuality and identity. Activists say ‘any form of… persuading someone to change their sexual… behaviour… or gender identity should be illegal’. Commenting on prayer, Jayne Ozanne,… Continue reading Can you be a Christian without conversion?
Conversion therapy ban: the ultimate no-debate policy?
Cancelling, no-platforming and other no-debate policies have been a defining feature of the last decade’s public discourse. And the recent tide of trans-activism will surely feature on the timelines of historians in years to come. Which dates will mark the movement? The establishment of the NHS’s Gender Identity Development Service in 1989, The Gender Reform… Continue reading Conversion therapy ban: the ultimate no-debate policy?
Westminster Government confirms ban on ‘conversion therapy’ in Queen’s Speech
Legislation to ban conversion therapy will be brought forward in the coming months, the Government has confirmed. In the Queen’s Speech, which sets out the Government’s legislative agenda for the year ahead, it was confirmed that: “Legislation will also be introduced to ban conversion therapy.” Let Us Pray spokesperson Simon Calvert responded: “By pushing forward… Continue reading Westminster Government confirms ban on ‘conversion therapy’ in Queen’s Speech
Welsh Government announces plans for conversion therapy ban
The Welsh Government this week gave more detail on its plans for banning conversion therapy. Powers to bring forward a criminal ban are not devolved to the Welsh Parliament, so legislation being prepared in Westminster is expected to include Wales alongside England. But recent changes, most obviously Boris Johnson’s announcement that ‘transgender conversion therapy’ would… Continue reading Welsh Government announces plans for conversion therapy ban
Conversion therapy ban will have “chilling effect on free speech”, campaigners warn
The free speech advocacy group, Free Speech Union, has warned the Westminster Government of the ‘inevitable’ chilling effect of a conversion therapy ban. In their response to the Government’s consultation on banning conversion therapy, the group expresses concerns over criminalising the expression of beliefs. They say: “Our concern is that “conversion therapy”, as currently under… Continue reading Conversion therapy ban will have “chilling effect on free speech”, campaigners warn
Conversion therapy ban activists adopt ‘no-debate’ policy
End Conversion Therapy Scotland offered a rather innocent-sounding comment recently about their media-handling policy: “We will not accept ANY request that will place a conversion therapy survivor up against those who promote or participate in this form of abuse.” (Twitter, @ECTScotland, Apr 2 2022) It sounds like a reasonable position. We all have great sympathy… Continue reading Conversion therapy ban activists adopt ‘no-debate’ policy
“Not affirming someone’s gender identity”: the ‘gold standard’ ban should worry us all
Those calling for a broad conversion therapy ban have consistently called for legislation in the UK to follow the example of Victoria, Australia. Even the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities Committee has suggested Victoria’s law is a good model to follow. Jayne Ozanne (Chair, Ban Conversion Therapy campaign): “the [ban] in Victoria is seen as the gold… Continue reading “Not affirming someone’s gender identity”: the ‘gold standard’ ban should worry us all