UK Government publishes trans-inclusive draft bill to ban conversion therapy

The UK Government has today (25 June) announced that it has published a draft bill to ban conversion therapy practices, after committing to doing so earlier this year in the King’s Speech.

If the new legislation passes, it will be illegal to try to change someone’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity through conversion practices.

The draft bill comes eight years after plans were first announced, and after much campaigning from groups including Stonewall and the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition.

The UK Government first committed to banning conversion therapy during Theresa May’s Government in 2018, as part of the LGBT Action Plan. Since, Prime Ministers including Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer have reaffirmed their commitment to bringing in the ban.

This year, during the King’s Speech in May, the Government made it clear that the legislation would be trans-inclusive.

While this is positive news for LGBTQ+ people in the UK, it is just the start of the process.

‘This draft Bill is crucial in creating a safer and more inclusive future for LGBTQ+ people’

Stonewall and the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition will be reviewing the legislation to make sure it includes proper protection for the whole LGBTQ+ community.

Simon Blake, CEO of Stonewall, said: “This Bill sends a clear message to LGBTQ+ people that they don’t have to change who they are – they are not broken or in need of ‘fixing’. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat and we’re seeing increased hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community, this draft Bill is crucial in creating a safer and more inclusive future for LGBTQ+ people. 

“The Government’s publication of this draft Bill is an historic and long overdue step forward on the journey towards LGBTQ+ equality. Everyone deserves to feel safe to be themselves and live freely without fear – yet conversion practices have caused lasting harm and suffering to too many LGBTQ+ people across the UK. 

“I am proud that Stonewall has played a key role in this campaign, and we will continue to work hard to ensure the ban is comprehensive and that there are no loopholes which could allow for this abuse to continue.”

‘The damage conversion practices did to me was significant’

One man, Ian, who went through years of conversion practices, said: “The damage conversion practices did to me was significant.  It wrecked my self-confidence, and created a powerful inner turmoil and conflict that has had a long-term impact on my mental health. For a long time, I minimised what I’d been through and the effect it had on me.

“Today’s announcement feels like a moment of justice, and I am glad the Government have finally taken action to ban these harmful practices. It angers me that conversion practices have been able to continue for so long, and there are countless people who have been through what I have.”

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