The ongoing debate surrounding the banning of conversion therapy in the UK continues as a letter, co-signed by public figures and musicians, has been sent to the Minister for Women and Equalities.
The letter addressed to Liz Truss was sent yesterday (July 9) by the Ban Conversion Therapy group and featured support from over 85 celebrities, religious figures, musicians and Chief Executives.
Celebrities to co-sign the letter include Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa, Paul Weller, Dustin Lance Black, Munroe Bergdorf, Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall, Wolf Alice and Stephen Fry.
Religious leaders including Senior Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Anil Bhanot from the UK Hindu Council, Rvd. Paul Bayes, and Chair of UK Buddhist Support Network Frederick Hyde-Chambers are also included as signees.
The letter asks Liz Truss to ‘introduce a truly effective ban’ on the practice of conversion therapy for all LGBT+ people in the UK.
The letter cites the position of a number of leading organisations including the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, which classified conversion therapy as ‘torture’, and the U.N, which called for an end to conversion therapy globally.
It also issues a reminder of the Government’s previous intentions to ban the practice in the UK.
“Theresa May, as Prime Minister, vowed to eradicate this “abhorrent” practice in 2018 and since then the British public has been waiting expectantly, not least the LGBTQ+ community,” the letter states.
“The government has said recently that conversion therapy is complex, which it undoubtedly is, and although we acknowledge this issue is nuanced we strongly believe that effective legislation, supported by a programme of work to help tackle these practices in all their forms, is possible.
“Any form of counselling or persuading someone to change their sexual orientation or behaviour so as to conform with a heteronormative lifestyle, or their gender identity should be illegal, no matter the reason, religious or otherwise - whatever the person’s age.”
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This month marks two years since Theresa May’s vow to ban conversion therapy.
However, the House of Commons were still asking people last week to share their thoughts on whether conversion therapy should be made illegal in a survey.
Tim Sigsworth MBE, CEO at LGBT+ charity akt, is one of the signees of the Ban Conversion Therapy letter and said the decision to postpone the ban was ‘absolutely appalling’.
"This is a form of torture that in particular impacts young LGBTQ+ people, including many of those that akt supports out of homelessness or abusive homes,” Tim told the M.E.N.
"akt was proud to sign that letter, alongside a number of other high-profile performers, activists and organisations, to demand that the Government addresses this now.
"LGBTQ+ young people are 3-6 times more likely to commit suicide on their journey to self-acceptance and this practice, which has a hugely detrimental impact on people's mental health, is a contributing factor to this.
"Conversion therapy implies that being LGBTQ+ is a condition and that it's wrong. Until the Government bans this practice, it remaining legal contributes to that narrative, and allows the practice to continue more freely in this country."
Ban Conversion Therapy was set up by director Harry Hitchens and activist Matthew Hyndman in order to bring attention to the issue of conversion therapy in the UK.
Creating the letter, Harry and Matthew received support from the policy teams at LGBT+ charities Stonewall and Mermaids.
They said that having the support of leading names, such as Elton John and Dua Lipa, would help bring the ‘relatively unknown abomination’ to the forefront of public understanding.
“We're very happy to be supported by so many incredible organisations and public figures in this historic moment,” Ban Conversion Therapy told the M.E.N.
“A ban seems palpable and this public support will be a defining factor in seeing it through.”
Earlier this week, Instagram also announced it would ban any posts promoting conversion therapy.
You can read the letter in full and find out how you can show your support here.
