Government finally publishes long overdue draft Bill to ban conversion practices
Today represents a momentous step forward towards LGBTQ+ equality as the Government have finally published their long overdue draft Bill to ban conversion practices.
Everyone deserves to be free and safe to be who they are, LGBTQ+ people are not broken and they don’t need fixing. After more than eight years of delays and broken promises, this vital government action to protect the LGBTQ+ community from harm is long overdue.
Conversion practices have caused profound harm and lasting suffering to far too many LGBTQ+ people. Lives have been altered and ruined because of conversion practices, the fact that they have remained legal in the UK for so long is a huge injustice.
Stonewall is proud to have been at the forefront of transformative change for the LGBTQ+ community for 37 years
From repealing Section 28, equalising the age of consent, lifting the ban on military service and marriage equality. We’ve always worked towards building a society which is free from discrimination, prejudice and inequality, and today’s announcement of a draft Bill to ban conversion practices is another step closer to this goal.
We’re proud to have played an integral role over the past 8 years in the campaign to ban conversion practices. As a founding member of the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition, we’ve worked closely with Government and civil society to advocate for a fully inclusive ban which protects the LGBTQ+ community from this abuse.
No one should be told there is something wrong with who they are. That belief guided our fight to repeal section 28, and 37 years later it remains just as important. A draft Bill to ban conversion practices sends a clear message that everyone deserves the freedom to be who they are and love who they love.
Simon Blake, Stonewall CEO said:
“The Government have finally published a draft Bill to ban conversion practices, a historic and long overdue step forward on the journey towards LGBTQ+ equality. Everyone deserves to feel safe to be themselves and live freely without fear – yet conversion practices have caused lasting harm and suffering to too many LGBTQ+ people across the UK.
“No one should be told they have to change who they are, LGBTQ+ people are not broken or in need of ‘fixing’. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat and we’re seeing increased hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community, this draft Bill is crucial in creating a safer and more inclusive future for LGBTQ+ people.
“Stonewall has been at the forefront of transformative change for the LGBTQ+ community for the past 37 years, and I am immensely proud that we have played a central role in this campaign. We will continue to work hard to ensure the ban is robust and effective and that there are no loopholes which could allow for this abuse to continue.”
What happens next?
While the publication of a draft Bill is a moment to be celebrated, this is the beginning of a process not the end. Our campaign doesn't end here.
The draft legislation will now go through a process of pre-legislative scrutiny, before being considered by Parliament. Over the coming weeks and months we will carefully review the legislation, and continue to work with sector partners, Parliamentarans, and government to ensure the legislation is robust, effective, and puts and end to conversion practices once and for all.
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