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Conversion therapy update

  • February 2024

Public concern about a planned new law on ‘conversion therapy’ continues to grow. Much of the opposition stems from the serious lack of clarity about what is to be outlawed.

UK Government plans appear mired in internal disputes. A KC has savaged backbench proposals in both Houses of Parliament as ‘serious intrusions into the legitimate activities and practices of Christian churches and religious communities’.The Scottish Government’s proposals have been called “jellyfish legislation” by another KC because of their undefined limits and “sting in the tail” of a potential seven-year prison sentence.

Conversion therapy is a deliberately broad term chosen by LGBT activists. There may be quack therapists – and sadly, even some church leaders – who exploit people and use abusive practices. Of course, verbal and physical abuse is illegal already. But activists want a ban to reach into churches and use the criminal law to force Christians to endorse LGBT theology.

References

References

  1. 1 Private Member’s Bill to prohibit Conversion Therapy, Jason Coppel KC, November 2023 (available at see https://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Christian-Institute-Conversion-Therapy-Private-Members-Bill-Advice-final.pdf as at 26 February 2024); Private Member’s Bill (Lloyd Russell Moyle MP) Proposed Amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill proposed Prohibition of “Conversion Practices”, Jason Coppel KC, February 2024 (available at https://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Christian-Institute-Conversion-Therapy-Lloyd-Russell-Moyle-Private-Members-Bill-and-Elliot-Colburn-Amendment-Advice.pdf as at 26 February 2024)
  2. 2 The Scottish Government consultation on its proposals for the Scottish Parliament to legislate with a view to bringing to an end in Scotland “Conversion Practices” ‘related to individuals’ “sexual orientation” and separately to their “gender identity”, Aidan O’Neill KC, February 2024 (available at https://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Aidan-O-Neill-KC-Conversion-practices-opinion-February-2024-highlights.pdf as at 26 February 2024)
  3. 3 ‘Support the Church Ministers’ response to the Consultation on Banning ‘Conversion Therapy’, Ministers’ Consultation Response, see https://ministersconsultationresponse.com/ as at 14 April 2022
  4. 4 Jayne Ozanne tweet, 14 February 2022, see https://twitter.com/JayneOzanne/status/1493142121796096001 as at 28 February 2024; Lancaster Guardian online, 14 March 2022, see https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/people/church-leaders-in-lancaster-and-morecambe-among-those-to-sign-government-letter-opposing-conversion-therapy-ban-3591160 as at 28 February 2024
  5. 5 The Christian Institute and others (Appellants) v The Lord Advocate (Respondent) (Scotland) [2016] UKSC 51, para. 73
  6. 6 Report on Petition PE1817: End Conversion Therapy, Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, Session 6, SP Paper 88, 25 January 2022
  7. 7 Scottish Parliament, Official Report, 15 March 2022, cols 45 and 39
  8. 8 ‘Government forced to extend public consultation on conversion therapy after Fair Play For Women threatens legal action’, Fair Play For Women, 9 December 2021, see https://fairplayforwomen.com/government-forced-to-extend-public-consultation-on-conversion-therapy-after-fair-play-for-women-threatens-legal-action/ as at 28 February 2024
  9. 9 Ibid
  10. 10 Banning Conversion Therapy consultation, Government Equalities Office, 29 October 2021
  11. 11 ‘Press pause on conversion therapy law’, Sex Matters, 14 November 2021, see https://sex-matters.org/posts/sex/press-pause-on-conversion-therapy-law/ as at 28 February 2024
  12. 12 The Guardian, 9 June 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/09/conversion-practices-church-of-england-bishop-backs-prosecution as at 28 February 2024
  13. 13 Premier Christianity, 1 December 2021, see https://www.premierchristianity.com/interviews/jayne-ozanne-the-christian-campaigner-explains-why-she-wants-to-ban-hate-prayer/5807.article as at 28 February 2024
  14. 14 Jayne Ozanne tweet, 12 December 2021, see https://twitter.com/JayneOzanne/status/1469968961659981829 as at 28 February 2024
  15. 15 Oral Evidence: Petition: Conversion Therapy, Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee (Scotland), 2 November 2021, col. 6
  16. 16 The Cooper Report, Ban ‘Conversion Therapy’ Legal Forum, October 2021
  17. 17 ‘Should conversion therapy be outlawed in the UK?’, GB News YouTube channel, 30 October 2021, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fM3lifbdlk as at 28 February 2024
  18. 18 Government Equalities Office Consultation: Banning Conversion Therapy: Response from LGBT Humanists, January 2022
  19. 19 Human Rights Implications Of Proposals To Ban “Conversion Therapy”, Jason Coppel QC, April 2021 (available at https://christian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Christian%20Institute%20Conversion%20Therapy%20Advice%20-%20updated.pdf as at 28 February 2024)
  20. 20 Oral Evidence: The Government’s consultation on conversion therapy: Women and Equalities Committee, HC878f
  21. 21 Stonewall Scotland, LGBT sector submission to call for views on conversion therapy petition, August 2021, see https://www.stonewallscotland.org.uk/sites/default/files/lgbt_sector_submission_to_call_for_views_on_conversion_therapy_petition.pdf as at 28 February 2024
  22. 22 Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021, Section 5
  23. 23 Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021, Part 2; Maximum Penalties, Sentencing Advisory Council, see https://www.sentencingcouncil.vic.gov.au/about-sentencing/maximum-penalties as at 28 February 2024
  24. 24 ‘Victoria’s Conversion Practices Act is a genuine assault on religious freedom’, Murray Campbell blog, 30 September 2021, see https://murraycampbell.net/2021/09/30/victorias-conversion-practices-act-is-a-genuine-assault-on-religious-freedom/ as at 28 February 2024
  25. 25 ‘Have you experienced a change or suppression practice?’, Victoria Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, see https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/change-or-suppression-practices/have-you-experienced-a-change-or-suppression-practice/ as at 28 February 2024
  26. 26 ‘Conversion therapy to be illegal in Canada in 30 days’, CTV News, 8 December 2021, see https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/conversion-therapy-to-be-illegal-in-canada-in-30-days-1.5699251 as at 28 February 2024
  27. 27 ‘Conversion therapy ban receives royal assent, now law in Canada’, Global News, 8 December 2021, see https://globalnews.ca/news/8434497/conversion-therapy-ban-canada-royal-assent/ as at 28 February 2024
  28. 28 Bill C-4, 8 December 2021 (Canada)
  29. 29 ‘Conversion Therapy Ban’: Statement by The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada, 7 December 2021, see https://acop.ca/docs/conversion-therapy-ban-2/ as at 14 April 2022
    30. April 2022 references:
  30. 1 ‘Support the Church Ministers’ response to the Consultation on Banning ‘Conversion Therapy’, Ministers’ Consultation Response, see https://ministersconsultationresponse.com/ as at 14 April 2022
  31. 2 Jayne Ozanne tweet, 14 February 2022, see https://twitter.com/JayneOzanne/status/1493142121796096001 as at 14 April 2022; Lancaster Guardian online, 14 March 2022, see https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/people/church-leaders-in-lancaster-and-morecambe-among-those-to-sign-government-letter-opposing-conversion-therapy-ban-3591160 as at 14 April 2022
  32. 3 The Christian Institute and others (Appellants) v The Lord Advocate (Respondent) (Scotland) [2016] UKSC 51, para. 73
  33. 4 Report on Petition PE1817: End Conversion Therapy, Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, Session 6, SP Paper 88, 25 January 2022
  34. 5 Scottish Parliament, Official Report, 15 March 2022, cols 45 and 39
  35. 6 ‘Government forced to extend public consultation on conversion therapy after Fair Play For Women threatens legal action’, Fair Play For Women, 9 December 2021, see https://fairplayforwomen.com/government-forced-to-extend-public-consultation-on-conversion-therapy-after-fair-play-for-women-threatens-legal-action/ as at 14 April 2022
  36. 7 Ibid
  37. 8 Banning Conversion Therapy consultation, Government Equalities Office, 29 October 2021
  38. 9 ‘Press pause on conversion therapy law’, Sex Matters, 14 November 2021, see https://sex-matters.org/posts/sex/press-pause-on-conversion-therapy-law/ as at 14 April 2022
  39. 10 The Guardian, 9 June 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/09/conversion-practices-church-of-england-bishop-backs-prosecution as at 14 April 2022
  40. 11 Premier Christianity, 1 December 2021, see https://www.premierchristianity.com/interviews/jayne-ozanne-the-christian-campaigner-explains-why-she-wants-to-ban-hate-prayer/5807.article as at 14 April 2022
  41. 12 Jayne Ozanne tweet, 12 December 2021, see https://twitter.com/JayneOzanne/status/1469968961659981829 as at 14 April 2022
  42. 13 Oral Evidence: Petition: Conversion Therapy, Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee (Scotland), 2 November 2021, col. 6
  43. 14 The Cooper Report, Ban ‘Conversion Therapy’ Legal Forum, October 2021
  44. 15 ‘Should conversion therapy be outlawed in the UK?’, GB News YouTube channel, 30 October 2021, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fM3lifbdlk as at 14 April 2022
  45. 16 Government Equalities Office Consultation: Banning Conversion Therapy: Response from LGBT Humanists, January 2022
  46. 17 Human Rights Implications Of Proposals To Ban “Conversion Therapy”, Jason Coppel QC, April 2021 (available at https://christian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Christian%20Institute%20Conversion%20Therapy%20Advice%20-%20updated.pdf as at 14 April 2022)
  47. 18 Oral Evidence: The Government’s consultation on conversion therapy: Women and Equalities Committee, HC878f
  48. 19 Stonewall Scotland, LGBT sector submission to call for views on conversion therapy petition, August 2021, see https://www.stonewallscotland.org.uk/sites/default/files/lgbt_sector_submission_to_call_for_views_on_conversion_therapy_petition.pdf as at 14 April 2022
  49. 20 Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021, Section 5
  50. 21 Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021, Part 2; Maximum Penalties, Sentencing Advisory Council, see https://www.sentencingcouncil.vic.gov.au/about-sentencing/maximum-penalties as at 14 April 2022
  51. 22 ‘Victoria’s Conversion Practices Act is a genuine assault on religious freedom’, Murray Campbell blog, 30 September 2021, see https://murraycampbell.net/2021/09/30/victorias-conversion-practices-act-is-a-genuine-assault-on-religious-freedom/ as at 14 April 2022
  52. 23 ‘Have you experienced a change or suppression practice?’, Victoria Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, see https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/change-or-suppression-practices/have-you-experienced-a-change-or-suppression-practice/ as at 14 April 2022
  53. 24 ‘Conversion therapy to be illegal in Canada in 30 days’, CTV News, 8 December 2021, see https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/conversion-therapy-to-be-illegal-in-canada-in-30-days-1.5699251 as at 14 April 2022
  54. 25 ‘Conversion therapy ban receives royal assent, now law in Canada’, Global News, 8 December 2021, see https://globalnews.ca/news/8434497/conversion-therapy-ban-canada-royal-assent/ as at 14 April 2022
  55. 26 Bill C-4, 8 December 2021 (Canada)
  56. 27 ‘Conversion Therapy Ban’: Statement by The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada, 7 December 2021, see https://acop.ca/docs/conversion-therapy-ban-2/ as at 14 April 2022

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