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
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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
Student politics and the conversion therapy campaign
It seems a little strange that The Times newspaper chose last weekend to publish an article on a two-month-old decision by the Union of Students in Ireland to boycott The Irish Times. The protest relates to an article on ‘transgender conversion therapy’ published around 9 months ago. It was authored by therapists in Ireland who… Continue reading Student politics and the conversion therapy campaign
Westminster Government recognises need for caution over conversion therapy ban
Last week, a Westminster Government spokesman confirmed that the Government “will carry out separate work to consider the issue of transgender conversion therapy further”. This came after Boris’s announcement on 31 March that a ban would not include ‘transgender’ conversion therapy was met with a backlash from LGBT activists. In a statement published on 5… Continue reading Westminster Government recognises need for caution over conversion therapy ban
‘Blackmailing the Government’: activist groups accused after £650k spend on cancelled conference
Activist groups including Stonewall have been accused of ‘blackmail’ and ‘holding the Government to ransom’ over the recently cancelled LGBT conference. The ‘Safe To Be Me’ conference, planned for June this year, was cancelled after Stonewall led over 100 LGBT activist groups in a boycott of the event, over the PM’s decision not to include… Continue reading ‘Blackmailing the Government’: activist groups accused after £650k spend on cancelled conference
Activists score own goal as Govt cancels LGBT conference
The Westminster Government has cancelled its ‘flagship’ LGBT conference following a boycott by LGBT campaigners. The ‘Safe to Be Me’ conference had been scheduled to coincide with Pride month in June this year, aiming to showcase the UK as a ‘world-leader’ in LGBT rights. But following the Government’s decision to drop ‘trans’ elements of a… Continue reading Activists score own goal as Govt cancels LGBT conference
Text of leaked Government memo on conversion therapy
Below is the text of the Government planning document leaked to ITV last week, which explained how plans for a conversion therapy ban would be dropped. ( […] indicates unknown text) – – – CONVERSION THERAPY HANDLING PLAN SUMMARY The PM has agreed we should not move forward with legislation to ban LGBT conversion therapy.… Continue reading Text of leaked Government memo on conversion therapy