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’
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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
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
Government release ‘easy read’ guide to conversion therapy consultation
The Westminster Government has released a new ‘easy read’ guide to its conversion therapy consultation. The announcement was made at the same time as an eight-week extension of the consultation was confirmed. The climbdown over the hurried timescale was forced after campaign group Fair Play For Women threatened judicial review. They said that the ‘easy… Continue reading Government release ‘easy read’ guide to conversion therapy consultation
8 week extension to conversion therapy consultation announced
The Government has confirmed that it is extending its conversion therapy consultation by eight weeks. The consultation will now run until 4 February 2022. Last month we raised concerns about the shortness of the consultation, which was originally set to run for just six weeks. Since then, the bungled roll-out of an ‘easy read’ version… Continue reading 8 week extension to conversion therapy consultation announced