Stephen Morgan MP has slammed the Government for its failure to bring forward a ban on so-called conversation ‘therapy’, despite eight commitments from five successive Ministers and four successive Prime Ministers in over five years.
In July 2018, the then Prime Minister Theresa May committed to eradicating the “abhorrent” practice of conversion therapy, with the then Women and Equalities minister calling it “abuse of the worst kind [that] must be stamped out”.
Over the last half a decade, various rumours have persisted that the Government would be watering down its commitments to banning the practice in full, through excluding transgender conversion practices from the ban, as well as creating loopholes on the spurious grounds of ‘consent’.
Now, more than five years since the promise was first made, there was no Bill to be seen in the King’s Speech 2023.
Mr Morgan raised the omission in his response to the Kings Speech on Tuesday, arguing that successive Ministers should apologise for yet another dismal failure that will put the human rights of LGBT+ people at risk.
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.
After raising this issue in the Commons, commenting City MP Stephen Morgan said:
“It’s clear as day that conversion practices are abuse and should be outlawed, but the Conservatives have failed to do so for half a decade. This is a betrayal of all LGBT+ people at risk of this abhorrent treatment.
“Instead of standing up for LGBT+ rights and bringing people together across their time in Government, the Conservatives have stoked a culture war and pitted different groups against each other.
Labour is clear that you cannot consent to abuse. An incoming Labour Government will clean up the Tories’ mess and introduce a no-loopholes ban, while protecting the right for people to explore their identity.”
Mr Morgan has long called on the Government to ban all forms of so-called conversion therapy in full. He previously launched a campaign during Portsmouth Pride 2022 seeking constituents support for a trans inclusive ban of conversion practices, with no loopholes or exceptions.
It follows Mr Morgan’s 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.
You can view Mr Morgan raising this in his response to the Kings Speech here.
