This LGBT+ History Month Stephen Morgan MP is calling on the Government to see through its commitments to outlaw so called conversion ‘therapy’, protecting LGBT+ people at risk of harm from this psychologically damaging abuse.
It has been over five years since the Government first announced its commitment to ban the abhorrent practice, despite eight commitments from five successive Ministers and four successive Prime Ministers in over five years.
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 on the Government to ban all forms of so-called conversion therapy in full, launching a campaign at Portsmouth Pride seeking support for a trans inclusive ban of conversion practices, with no loopholes or exceptions.
This LGBT+ History Month the City MP is now calling on constituents to show their support by signing his petition as the Government fails to deliver a Bill before parliament and remains elusive on its commitments to include protections for transgender people.
Mr Morgan has said that 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. The Labour Leader Keir Starmer reaffirmed this commitment at Labour’s LGBT+ Historty Month earlier this month.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
”The Conservative Government has had ample an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to upholding the rights of LGBT+ people to live freely and without discrimination. They have chosen not to do so.
“This LGBT+ History Month should be a celebration of how far we have come in accepting LGBT+ people for who they are, yet we are still calling on the Government to see through on a promise it made over five years ago.
“Banning conversion therapy in all its forms is a moral imperative. I will continue to do all I can to champion the rights of LGBT+ people and to support an incoming Labour Government in banning this practice once and for all.”
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 below:
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