A proposed ban on harmful gay and trans ‘conversion therapies’ could lead to perpetrators facing up to five years in prison and unlimited fines, as outlined in a newly published draft law. The legislation, which has been long-awaited due to delays, aims to outlaw discredited practices that seek to suppress individuals’ sexuality or gender identity.
Referred to at times as “gay cure therapy,” these practices involve coercive attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The government intends to establish a criminal threshold targeting abusive behaviors that cause serious harm to the victims, including instances of physical violence, sexual assault, financial exploitation, and psychological abuse.
The draft Conversion Practices Bill, applicable in England and Wales, was originally a commitment in the Labour Party manifesto from 2024. However, formal legislative proceedings are not expected to commence soon, indicating that the bill may not be enacted into law this year.
Recent research conducted during Theresa May’s term as Prime Minister revealed that nearly one in five LGBT+ individuals in the UK have experienced attempts to alter or “cure” their sexual orientation or gender identity. Galop, an LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, reported that such harmful practices are still prevalent today, with a significant number of cases being recent or ongoing.
The Office for Equality and Opportunity warned of the ongoing occurrence of these abhorrent practices, emphasizing the various forms of abuse – physical, sexual, economic, and psychological – that victims endure. Minister for Equalities Olivia Bailey reiterated the government’s commitment to banning conversion practices, emphasizing that legal measures are necessary to protect LGBT+ individuals from such harmful acts.
Professor Subodh Dave, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, praised the bill’s release as a crucial step in prohibiting these harmful practices. He emphasized the importance of supporting healthcare professionals in conducting appropriate conversations with their patients while safeguarding them from engaging in harmful conversion therapies.
Jasmine O’Connor, co-chief executive of Galop, highlighted the detrimental impacts of conversion practices and the need for legal protection against covert forms of abuse faced by LGBT+ individuals. She welcomed the legislation as a significant initial step towards addressing conversion practices as a distinct form of harm.
Bishop David Walker of Manchester acknowledged the Church of England’s support for the ban on conversion therapies, noting the positive impact it could have in ending practices that have inflicted long-lasting trauma on LGBT+ individuals.
