‘Conversion therapy’ restrictions won’t protect all LGBTQ+ people, UK government confirms
The UK government has finally responded to a petition calling for trans people to be protected by its restrictions on so-called ‘conversion therapy’.
As of 13 May, the petition has more than 144,000 signatures and is the third most-signed open one on the government’s official website.
At 10,000 signatures, the government was obligated to issue a response to it, which the Cabinet Office finally did on 13 May.
The message acknowledged the “long-lasting harm” caused by the practice, though confirmed that the new legislation will not protect the entire LGBTQ+ community. “We are committed to banning these abhorrent practices by introducing an offence that protects children and those that are unwillingly subjected to talking conversion practices, as well as by strengthening provisions against physical conversion practices,” the response stated. “We will bring forward a ban that protects everyone from attempts to change their sexual orientation.
