Minister reasserts commitment to ban ‘conversion therapy’

The Equalities Minister has again promised a ban on so-called conversion therapy in “this parliamentary session”, according to Pink News. The session runs until the next General Election, due in 2029.

Speaking at a Stonewall event celebrating LGBT history month, Olivia Bailey, a lesbian, reiterated Labour’s manifesto pledge to bring in a “full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices”.

Last year, a similar ban in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) criminalised prayer, preaching or pastoral advice that seeks to convince others to live according to biblical sexual ethics.

Trans inclusive ban

During the Stonewall sponsored panel event at the House of Commons, Bailey said: “LGBT+ History Month is not just about looking back. It’s also about asking what comes next”.

She stated: “We are committed to bringing forward a trans inclusive ban on conversion practices as soon as possible. They are rooted in the false and harmful idea that LGBT plus identities are something to be corrected or erased, and we will act.”

She added: “Stonewall’s work reminds us that progress is never simply about passing a law and moving on.

“It’s about implementation. It’s about culture change. It’s about ensuring that our young people, an employee in a workplace, a patient in the clinic or a veteran seeking recognition, all experience dignity and freedom to be themselves.”

Punitive

Under the NSW Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 anyone accused of “changing or suppressing” another’s gender identity or sexual orientation could be fined up to $100,000 as part of the civil complaints scheme.

If the person was deemed to cause “substantial” mental or physical harm, they could be sentenced up to five years in prison.

State guidance indicates that it could be illegal to advise a same-sex attracted Christian to remain celibate, or to pray for them at their request.

A video publicising the law, released by Anti-Discrimination NSW, states that ‘conversion practices’ could resemble “prayer or pastoral conversation that is intended to change or suppress someone’s gender or sexuality”.

‘State-approved ideology’

Commenting on the new law at the time, Let Us Pray spokesman Simon Calvert warned: “The video is clear that opinions and conversations that do not conform to state-approved ideology about sex and gender are to be deemed ‘harmful’ and unlawful.

“Under New South Wales’ conversion therapy law, parents could face up to five years in prison for trying to protect their children from puberty blocking drugs that are banned in the UK, and church leaders could be carted off by the police for praying with a gay person.

“New South Wales should serve as a warning to the Government here. Some people thought their approach was ‘moderate’. It clearly is not. It shows there is no way to legislate for an activist-approved conversion therapy law without crushing the basic human rights of innocent people.”