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
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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
France ban on Conversion Therapy passes in Senate
The French Senate has voted 305-28 to pass a Bill banning conversion therapy. It defines conversion therapy as: “practices, behaviour or repeated comments aimed at modifying or repressing sexual orientation or gender identity, true or supposed, of a person and having the effect of impairing their physical or mental health”. Such acts would be punishable… Continue reading France ban on Conversion Therapy passes in Senate
Let Us Pray campaign responds to House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee letter to Minister
Let Us Pray campaign responds to House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee letter to Equalities Minister Mike Freer. Simon Calvert, spokesman for Let Us Pray, said: “When I gave evidence to the Equalities Committee I said that getting the conversion therapy ban wrong could result in the most religiously repressive law this country has… Continue reading Let Us Pray campaign responds to House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee letter to Minister
Canada bans “sincere expressions of religious beliefs”
Less than two weeks after its introduction, Canada has passed into law a Bill banning conversion therapy. The Bill passed through the House of Commons and Senate at lightning speed with no scrutiny whatsoever, aided by the success of a motion in the House of Commons which allowed the Bill to bypass committee stages. The… Continue reading Canada bans “sincere expressions of religious beliefs”
Church ministers’ letter to Govt on conversion therapy
Over 1700 church ministers and pastoral workers have signed a letter urging the Government not to criminalise the ordinary work of churches. If you are a church minister or pastoral worker, we urge you to sign. The authors say churches “act in love, with gentleness and respect, for the good of all” but fear that… Continue reading Church ministers’ letter to Govt on conversion therapy