With Portsmouth hosting UK Pride this Saturday (7 June), city MP Stephen Morgan has ramped up his campaign to ban so called conversion ‘therapy’, protecting LGBT+ people at risk of harm from this psychologically damaging abuse.
Conversion ‘therapy’ is a process which tries to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It can include talking therapies and prayer, however more extreme methods such as exorcism, physical violence and food deprivation are also used.
The practice is widely considered by organisations, including the British Medical Association and Mind, to constitute a form of psychologically damaging abuse.
Mr Morgan has long called for a ban on all forms of so-called conversion therapy in full, launching a campaign in 2023 seeking support for a trans inclusive ban of conversion practices, with no loopholes or exceptions.
The previous government promised to ban conversion therapies time and again but failed to deliver.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“This week Portsmouth will proudly host UK Pride, which promises to be the biggest and loudest celebration of the LGBT+ community our city has ever seen.
“Pride is also an opportunity to uphold our commitment to protecting the rights of LGBT+ people to live freely and without discrimination.
“That’s why I’m encouraging local people to back my campaign for a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices which have no place in society and must be stopped. “
The Labour Government is fully committed to advancing LGBT+ rights and is working to:
- Deliver a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices
- Ensure that LGBT+ hate crime constitutes an aggravated offence
- Bring forward a new HIV Action Plan
- Right the wrongs endured by LGBT+ veterans
- Modernise the law on gender recognition
- Fix the NHS and recruit 8,500 more mental health workers
Mr Morgan holds a strong record standing up for the rights of LGBT+ people, including during the Independent Review of LGBT+ veterans, calling on Ministers to take action against hate crime, as well as calling for greater support for LGBT+ people suffering with their mental health. In 2023 he was voted an Attitude magazine trailblazer for the year.
Any person can sign the petition here.
