The Parliament of New Zealand has passed a Bill which will ban ‘conversion practices’. The Bill makes it illegal to carry out such practices on under-18s and those lacking decision making capacity. It includes adults in any instances which knowingly or recklessly cause ‘serious harm’. Those who are convicted of the offences could be sent… Continue reading New Zealand passes ban on ‘conversion therapy’
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Christian teachers concerned over conversion therapy ban
The Association of Christian Teachers (ACT) has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi MP, saying pupils and school staff are at risk of being harmed by plans to ban conversion therapy. They fear that the inclusion of ‘pastoral conversations’ within any new legislation would criminalise school leaders, teachers, and support staff… Continue reading Christian teachers concerned over conversion therapy ban
Anti-faith group calls for ban on prayer, faith declarations, repentance and confessions
An anti-faith group has called for a legal ban on a long list of everyday faith practices including, prayer, faith declarations, repentance and even confessions. In their response to the UK Government’s Conversion Therapy Consultation, anti-faith group, Humanists UK, argues strongly for a widening of the ban on conversion therapy to include what it calls… Continue reading Anti-faith group calls for ban on prayer, faith declarations, repentance and confessions
Humanists tell Westminster Govt: ‘ban repentance’
Humanists UK have published their response to the Westminster Government’s consultation on banning conversion therapy. Despite claiming to be “strong advocates for freedom of religion or belief”, they call for any ban to include: “verbal communications … such as confessions/repentances, non-violent exorcisms, faith declarations, fasting, pilgrimages, and attendance on religious courses”. They also welcome the… Continue reading Humanists tell Westminster Govt: ‘ban repentance’
Let Us Pray Response to Westminster Consultation on banning conversion therapy
The Westminster Government’s consultation on their plans to ban ‘conversion therapy’ closed on 4th February 2022. Here’s the text of our response. — Do you agree or disagree that the Government should intervene to end conversion therapy in principle? Neither agree nor disagree Why do you think this? Let Us Pray has deep concerns… Continue reading Let Us Pray Response to Westminster Consultation on banning conversion therapy
Human Rights Commission: ‘Protect religious freedom’
The UK’s equalities watchdog, the EHRC (Equality and Human Rights Commission), has published its response to the Westminster consultation on banning conversion therapy. It warns of possible “unintended consequences”. The Government is under increasing pressure to slow down on its plans to ban conversion therapy. Last week, 30 MPs wrote to Boris Johnson saying they… Continue reading Human Rights Commission: ‘Protect religious freedom’
Canadian opposition leader ousted after conversion therapy vote
In the past week, Canada’s Conservative party leader, Erin O’Toole, has been ousted after a ‘leadership review’. Canada’s conversion therapy ban recently gained Royal Assent without ever having been scrutinised by a parliamentary or Senate committee. Conservative party motions saw it fly straight through all parliamentary stages without debate. The press reports ‘sources’ saying this… Continue reading Canadian opposition leader ousted after conversion therapy vote
Cambridge academic critiques Govt research on Conversion Therapy
My attention has been drawn to the empirical basis for proposed legislation in favour of criminalizing the provision of therapeutic services to those with unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction or ‘conversion therapy’ (hereafter, “CT”). It is my understanding that the current discussion regarding the decision to criminalize CT is predicated on two pieces of research:… Continue reading Cambridge academic critiques Govt research on Conversion Therapy
Ireland: Research on conversion therapy needed ahead of legislation
Roderic O’Gorman, the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to end ‘conversion therapy’, but says research on the practice must be carried out first. The Irish Green Party minister previously told the country’s LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy Steering Committee that there “needs to be an evidence… Continue reading Ireland: Research on conversion therapy needed ahead of legislation
Leading conversion therapy campaigner demands ban on teaching abstinence
As Chair of the ‘Ban Conversion Therapy’ campaign group, Jayne Ozanne’s views are significant. You would expect her to try to be moderate and persuasive. Yet, Ozanne has repeatedly called for aspects of the ordinary work of churches to be criminalised, infamously saying even “gentle, non-coercive prayer” should be caught. Ozanne, an outspoken member of… Continue reading Leading conversion therapy campaigner demands ban on teaching abstinence