Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch has put a halt to any plans on banning conversion therapy.
According to ITV News, the Tory MP has asked to review the current plans, meaning once again, there will be another delay in outlawing the practice. While it isn't unusual for a new minister to take stock before committing to a policy, the change in personnel means more waiting time for the LGBTQ+ community.
The practice, which is defined by NHS England as the attempt to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, often involves abhorrent techniques including electroshock therapy and prayer and Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ community demanded the “inhumane” practices be banned “now”.
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Andi Herring, CEO and co-founder of LCR Pride Foundation, told the ECHO : “It has been four years since Theresa May first promised that a ban on conversion therapy would end these practices for good in the UK. Yet we are still waiting. Every day that we wait, the lives of more LGBT+ people are harmed as a result of these practices. Too many have suffered already.
"Our community should not have to keep fighting for our basic human rights to be protected. We demand that these abhorrent and inhumane practices are banned now to protect all LGBT+ people. No more delays, no more watering down or exclusion. We will not stop fighting until conversion therapy for all LGBT+ people is completely outlawed.”
A commitment to banning the practice was first made by Theresa May’s administration in 2018. Since then, it has yet to be implemented - meaning four consecutive Prime Ministers have failed to deliver on their manifesto promise.
ITV News also claimed that Ms Badenoch's predecessor in the role, Nadhim Zahawi, had agreed that a Joint Committee of MPs and Lords would scrutinise a bill next year to finally introduce a ban. The idea was to expedite the legislation during the fourth session of parliament, due to begin in the spring. However, those plans are now on hold until the new equalities minister agrees to them.
GYRO LGBTQ+ Youth Liverpool said: "It has become a recurring disappointment that there is yet another delay on a full conversion therapy ban. Sadly, It has come to be expected and we all know what the sticking point is for those who oppose a full ban. Ultimately though there should be no ban unless the ban is clearly in support of a ban against trans conversion therapy. We look forward to the day a UK Government stands up proudly for all of its LGBTQIA+ citizens.”
Sophie Corlett, the director of external relations at the mental health charity, Mind, which has a store in Liverpool's Williamson Square, added: " The UK government cannot keep delaying and watering down a ban that is essential to protecting millions of LGBTQIA+ people across Britain from unethical and inhumane treatment. Conversion ‘therapy’ is highly damaging to people’s mental health. People who have gone through conversion practices have told us how it left them with feelings of anxiety, isolation and self-hatred.
“Every day this ban is delayed, more people will be harmed. The government must bring forward the bill as a priority, and ensure it protects all members of the LGBTQIA+ community...Being LGBTQIA+ is not something to be cured of, and we will not stop until the government bans abhorrent conversion practices."
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