PM urged: grant our Christmas wish and ban harmful conversion practices
Today, the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition, of which Stonewall is a proud founding member, have presented an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to finally make good on his promise and publish a draft Bill to ban conversion practices for LGBTQ+ communities as soon as possible.
Conversion practices include any medical, psychiatric, psychological, religious, cultural or any other interventions that seek to change, ‘cure’, or suppress the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person. Learn more about conversion practices here.
We’ve heard time and again that a draft Bill is on the way. Now, we’re calling for action again.
As a coalition, we’ve written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and delivered our letter straight to Number 10, urging him to grant our Christmas wish: make 2026 the year this Government finally bans conversion practices. It’s time for the Government to give the LGBTQ+ community the gift of safety and acceptance by publishing a draft Bill to end conversion practices for good.
Stonewall CEO, Simon Blake OBE was joined by Chair of the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition, Saba Ali, and conversion practices survivor Dr Glenn Miles to deliver the letter in person.
In the letter, which was delivered to 10 Downing Street at midday, the coalition says:
“The festive period is a time for celebration, community, and acceptance. Yet for many members of the LGBTQ+ community, this time of year, as families come together and religious services take place, can be a painful reminder that they are still not fully accepted.
“Across the UK, too many in the LGBTQ+ community are still being told they need to be ‘cured’ or ‘fixed’ because harmful conversion practices remain legal.
The UK Government committed to making conversion practices illegal in 2018 which means this is the eighth Christmas that successive Prime Ministers have personally committed to end these practices. The LGBTQ+ community deserve better.”
You can read the full letter here.
Simon Blake OBE commented:
“Most people think conversion practices are a thing of the past. The unacceptable fact is these abusive practices are taking place in 2025. Last year The Trevor Project found that nearly 1 in 6 LGBTQ+ young people in the UK reported being threatened with or subjected to conversion practices. Thousands of young people growing up being told there is something wrong with them. Every single day of delay in changing the law sends a strong message that they are not good enough.
"Despite many years of assurances from four different Prime Ministers, the legislation to make conversion practices illegal has still not been published. Today we urge the Prime Minister yet again to give the LGBTQ+ community a gift of safety and acceptance by making next year the one that conversion practices are finally made illegal. "
Layton Williams added:
“As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, I was shook to hear this kind of practice is still happening in 21st century Britain! I'm lending my voice to the campaign to say enough is enough... Let's ban conversion practices in 2026 - Period!
Dr Glenn Miles was himself subjected to damaging conversion practices. Joining the delegation delivering the Christmas wish letter, he said:
“Although I am in a better place now, the impact of conversion practices stays with me. It has taken years of counselling and support for me to understand that there is nothing wrong with who I am.
Even now after processing this, in my worst moments I worry I am making up my sexuality, I have been indoctrinated for so long it is hard to not be disposed to these ideas sometimes.”
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Through this ban, the Government can offer hope. They can stand with LGBTQ+ people and show that every person deserves to live freely and safely as themselves.
We hope this letter gives them the push to finally publish the draft Bill and make 2026 the year these harmful practices are finally made illegal.
We must not give up. Together we will keep showing the Government that they must make good on their promise to ban conversion practices.
We’re committed to creating a world where everyone, everywhere has equal rights, and your support helps us shape legislation that will change the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
