Conversion Therapy Banned In UK For Gays, But Not For Trans People

The UK has announced a ban on the harmful practice of conversion therapy for gay or bisexual people – but not for transgender people.

Conversion therapy ban to go ahead but will not cover trans peoplehttps://t.co/2hWhvgzvmL

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) April 1, 2022

The announcement, which affects England and Wales, came just hours after the government said it was going to reverse and drop plans to ban the ‘ex-gay’ therapy. Apparently, the idea shifted to exploring non-legislative means to stop the dangerous practice. But quick criticism by LGBTQ advocacy groups led lawmakers to move forward with at least a ban

Conversion therapy for the LGBTQ+ community is incredibly dangerous and has no place in Britain or the world

There should be no need for any kind of U-turn, ban it for every single person, nobody should be subjected to it pic.twitter.com/apvCEyQzxY — Dr Amir Khan GP (@DrAmirKhanGP) April 1, 2022

Conversion therapy is the debunked theory of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity through several psychological and medical methods. Nearly every professional medical organization in the U.S. denounces conversion therapy including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric Association, the World Psychiatric Association and more. Related: France Bans Harmful, Dangerous Conversion Therapy In July 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the practice was “absolutely abhorrent” and “[had] no place in this country.” In May 2021, the Queen’s Speech reiterated that measures would be “brought forward” to ban it.

Boris Johnson has been forced to backtrack on a government u-turn after a furious response by MPs and campaigners to his decision to drop plans to ban so-called gay conversion therapy. pic.twitter.com/INpdmwKTSS

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) April 1, 2022

We are saddened and appalled by the UK Gov’s decision to exclude transgender people from the proposed ban on Conversion Practices in England & Wales.

A Ban that excludes the trans community is not a ban at all, it is unacceptable that trans people are once again left behind 1/4 pic.twitter.com/tK8iQhnJ2G — End Conversion Therapy Scotland (@ECTScotland) April 1, 2022

UK Government: We recognize that conversion therapy is a cruel and abusive punishment so we are going to ban it! Everyone: Hooray! UK Govt: *whispers* but not for trans people

— Lily Simpson (@LilySimpson1312) April 1, 2022