Christians urged to speak out as Parliament to hear views on controversial “conversion practices” bill

• Churches, organisations and Christian individuals are invited to voice their perspective over a draft law that could threaten religious freedom, ordinary family life and pastoral ministry
• “Call for evidence” to close 16th November on draft “conversion practices” bill which experts say could criminalise basic Christian expression on issues of gender, marriage and sexuality

LONDON (29 October 2026) – Christians are being urged to participate in an open “call for evidence” regarding the risks posed by the government’s draft “conversion practices” bill, initiated by the parliamentary joint committee tasked with scrutinising the legislation.
The bill is purported to criminalise “abuse” intended to “change” somebody’s mind about their claimed sexuality or gender identity. But The Christian Institute warns that the bill’s broad and unclear provisions could put ordinary conversations about faith, sexuality and gender at risk of criminalisation.
The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday 16 November.
The draft Bill would create a new criminal offence relating to “conversion practices”. The Christian Institute warns that the offence is so broadly framed that it could capture conversations and conduct that are neither abusive nor harmful, including parents taking a cautious approach to their child’s desire to “transition”; or Church leaders providing pastoral support to congregants. Even conversations in home groups could be caught, with home group leaders being criminally liable for what people in the group say to one another.
The proposals do not require proof that a person intended to cause harm in order for their words to be counted as criminally “abusive”. Nor do they provide a defence where the accused person’s conduct was objectively reasonable.
The Bill would also introduce Conversion Practices Protection Orders, which could impose restrictions on a person pre-emptively, should they be perceived to be at risk of meeting the threshold for criminality under the law.
Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of The Christian Institute, said:

“This is an important opportunity for Christians to make their voices heard before the government decides whether to take this Bill forward.
“The Government says it wants to protect people from abuse. Everyone should be protected from genuine abuse, and the law already provides protection against assault, harassment and other forms of harmful behaviour. But this draft Bill goes much further, creating a speech crime with serious risks for ordinary conversations within families and churches.
“Parents must be free to guide their children according to their beliefs. Christians must be free to pray with someone who asks for prayer, offer pastoral support and explain what the Bible teaches about sex and relationships. None of these things should put someone at risk of a criminal investigation simply because another person dislikes what has been said.
“We are urging Christians to respond to the Committee’s call for evidence. MPs and Peers need to hear from people who understand how these proposals could affect everyday family life, church ministry and religious freedom. The more clearly the practical problems are explained, the harder they will be to ignore.”

The Institute has published a guide for responders to highlight key areas for concern.
Threats to parents and family life
Critics have highlighted that the Bill could put parents at risk when they seek to guide their children through questions about sexuality and gender. It includes “economic pressure” and “emotional pressure” as potential indicators of abuse. The Christian Institute has pointed out that this could open parents up to criminality if they were to refuse to buy their young teen daughter a “chest-binder”, or to express concern or upset about the long-term consequences of such bodily alterations.
Risks to churches and pastoral ministry
The proposals could also affect the everyday work of churches, including prayer, discipleship, pastoral conversations and teaching on Christian sexual ethics.
A pastor who advises a congregant to remain faithful to his wife and family rather than to explore life in alternative “gender” could, for example, be accused of breaking the proposed law.
“An adult who asks a church leader for help to live according to their Christian convictions should be able to receive that support without placing the church at risk of prosecution. Yet the draft Bill puts ordinary, kindly, well-meaning conversations in homes and churches in the firing line”, added Calvert.
“The proposals would have a huge chilling effect. We recognise the government wants to ensure people are protected from abuse but you don’t help victims of abuse by making innocent people victims of injustice.”
ENDS