- Government publishes a draft Bill that will deliver a landmark ban on abusive conversion practices in England and Wales.
- Current legal loopholes leave victims at risk, and new legislation will fill gaps in the law to protect people from abhorrent abuse.
- Proposed ban includes safeguards for legitimate healthcare and therapy, and robust thresholds that protect open conversations, and free speech.
- Follows Stephen Morgan MP’s ongoing “Ban Conversion Therapy” campaign
Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed the announcement that LGBTQ+ people will be protected from physical and psychological abuse to change who they are, as the government announces a landmark ban on abusive Conversion Practices in England and Wales, with the publication of the draft Conversion Practices Bill.
The proposed ban will set the criminal threshold for conversion practices as conduct that aims to change someone’s sexual orientation or transgender identity through abusive acts that seriously harm the victim.
These abhorrent practices are still happening today, with people being subjected to physical, sexual, economic and psychological abuse. Victims of conversion practices have recounted stories that range from beatings and rape to verbal threats, manipulation and exorcisms.
Conversion practices are still happening in 2026 because of a series of legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to escape justice. Existing pieces of legislation that cover domestic violence, coercive control and communications offences do not adequately address the unique nature of abusive conversion practices, leaving a gap in the law that can be exploited.
In addition, the lack of a legal definition of abusive conversion practices makes it challenging for police and to act. The only way to tackle these problems is through this legislation.
That is why Mr Morgan has been a continuous advocate for bringing an end to conversion practices. This includes launching an ongoing campaign to gather public support, which can be contributed to here.
The legislation will create the following criminal offences:
- Carrying out abusive conversion practices that cause serious harm, alarm or distress to the victim.
- Encouraging or assisting an abusive conversion practice performed outside England and Wales.
It also creates new civil Conversion Practice Protection Orders and breach offence to support victims as well as those currently at risk of abuse. These will be similar to protection orders for forced marriage and female genital mutilation and will pre-emptively protect people
Someone found guilty of conducting abusive conversion practices could face an unlimited fine, a custodial sentence of up to 5 years or both.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“The Conversion Practices Bill is landmark legislation that represents a major step forwards for the UK’s LGBTQ+ community. I know that Portsmouth’s own community will feel reassured that Ministers have heard their concerns.
“The previous government failed to deliver a ban on conversion practices, leaving LGBTQ+ people across the country vulnerable to abusive practices that have no place in our society. Conversion practices that aim to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity have no place in society and Labour is legislating to ensure that they cannot.
“However, action does not stop here. That is why I will continue to take action to protect our city’s LGBTQ+ community, so that everyone can live in our city with dignity, respect and pride”.
Olivia Bailey MP, Minister for Equalities, said:
“Conversion practices are driven by the false belief that being LGBTQ+ is shameful and can be forcibly changed.
“No-one should face abuse just because of who they are. That’s why we are delivering on our manifesto commitment to ban abusive conversion practices.
“Legal loopholes have left LGBTQ+ people vulnerable to these harmful acts which is why we must legislate.”
The Government has also taken further action to fulfil its commitments to the LGBTQ+ community, including:
- Righting the historic wrongs committed against LGBTQ+ veterans
- Publishing a HIV Action Plan to end new transmissions by 2030
- Investing £21m in global LGBTQ+ rights
