The UK government has been facing pressure regarding their proposed conversion therapy ban– namely by trans-exclusionary groups whose aim is to remove protections for transgender people against conversion therapy.
As you may recall, conversion therapy is a harmful practice that takes many forms, particularly ‘counselling’ of youth by religious groups to ‘convert’ Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ children into heterosexual practice and cisgender presentation. Conversion therapy is both abusive and ineffective; we are who we are, and Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people deserve to live openly and proudly.
While when originally introduced in 2018 the UK legislation included a ban on transgender conversion therapy as well as gay conversion therapy, the current UK administration intended to allow conversion therapy to continue.
After lobbying efforts, a ban was proposed that would only prohibit conversion therapy on the basis of sexuality– leaving transgender Britons susceptible to the abusive practice. Lobbying by explicitly trans-exclusionary groups such as Fair Play For Women and LGB Alliance has been extensive.
On April 10th, approximately 3000 LGBTQIA+ people and their allies protested outside of 10 Downing Street.
As with the resurgence of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and policy in the United States, we must be vigilant and oppose practices which deny the inherent worth and dignity of our siblings here and around the world.