Scot Govt ‘ignoring concerns’ as majority oppose ‘conversion practices’ ban

The Scottish Government plans to continue to back legislation banning so-called conversion practices despite public opposition.

Of 5,811 responses to The Scottish Government’s consultation on ‘ending conversion practices’, 54 per cent opposed a ban which focuses on “behaviour motivated by the intention to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity”. 45 per cent were in favour, with one per cent unsure. This balance of opinion was repeated across a number of the questions.

Although a majority disagree with the SNP’s proposals to ban ‘conversion practices’, the party still intends to introduce legislation to Holyrood, if it wins next year’s election, “should a UK-wide approach not be achievable”.

‘Criminalising’

Many respondents raised concern that the proposals would impact religious freedom. For example, some highlighted that they risk “criminalising religious leaders whose role is to guide others in line with their beliefs” because exemptions for ‘non-directive’ guidance do not recognise that pastoral care can include offering direction.

In addition, those against the proposals warned that “suppression” is an overly broad term, which could make it illegal to teach about one-man, one-woman marriage.

Others criticised the inclusion of the “subjective concept” of gender identity, and a “common concern” was that parents could be criminalised for seeking to protect their child from a decision they may later regret.

‘Huge concern’

The Christian Institute’s Deputy Director Simon Calvert said it is “disappointing that the Scottish Government is still pushing ahead with its controversial plans for a conversion therapy law when its own consultation has shown that the public don’t want it”.

He emphasised that existing law “rightly already protects everyone from verbal and physical abuse. There’s clearly huge concern among Christians over the impact this law could have on the ordinary work of churches, and on parents engaging in open conversations about sex and sexuality with their teenagers.

“Yet the Scottish Government seems to be ignoring these concerns. They are asking Westminster to legislate, when they know their own draft Bill last year was deeply unpopular and got torn to shreds by lawyers. I’m not sure why they think Westminster is likely to do any better.”

Activists

The Institute has already threatened legal action against Holyrood over the proposals, as activists push for the ban to criminalise repentance as well as preaching, prayer, pastoral care and parenting that fails to endorse liberal LGBT-affirming theology.

The Westminster Government has promised to publish its draft conversion practices Bill for England and Wales “very soon”, amid demands from LGBT activists following the Supreme Court’s ruling that ‘sex’ in the Equality Act refers to biological sex.

Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledged to introduce “a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, while protecting the freedom for people to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity”.