Yesterday’s ministers took the first steps towards banning all forms and types of gay conversion therapy.
Liz Truss, the equalities minister, announced a six-week consultation on how to legislate against the practice of trying to change someone’s sexual preferences through counselling.
While the law already covers violent forms of the therapy, the proposed legislation would make all coercive therapies for conversion illegal.
Ministers stated that safeguarding children under 18 years old is a priority and promised that future laws would place strong emphasis on preventing them from undergoing conversion therapies.
Miss Truss said: ‘There should be no place for the abhorrent practice of coercive conversion therapy in our society.
Liz Truss said that the announcement will outline plans for how the Government will “ban an archaic practice.”
“Today we publish detailed proposals to stop the appalling conversion therapy and ensure that LGBT people can live their life free from harm or abuse.
‘I want everyone to be able to love who they want and be themselves.
‘Today’s announcement sets out how we will ban an archaic practice that has no place in modern life.’
Critics said that the plans should have been more ambitious and banned all conversion therapy.
Ministers will make legislation to ensure that when violent offences are motivated through conversion therapy, it is considered an aggravating circumstance when the perpetrator is sentenced.
They also propose to create a new offence for talking therapies that seek to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, to be punishable by imprisonment of up to five years.
This would apply to all under-18s in any circumstance, and to adults who have not consented to be fully informed about the possible impacts.
According to the GEO consent requirements would be “rigorous and stringent”.
It acknowledged some believe that an adult cannot consent even when fully aware of the potential for being harmed, but said it is the Government’s view that “the freedom for an adult to enter such an arrangement should be protected”.
The Government has launched a six week public consultation that will close December 10, and then it will prepare legislation to be introduced by spring 2022.
It stated that future laws will place a strong emphasis on protecting children due to their vulnerability.
They will also ensure that licensed clinicians can continue to support individuals who are LGBT.
The proposals allow individuals to seek guidance and professional help from professionals.
The six-week public consultation on on how to legislate against the practice of trying to change someone’s sexual preferences through counselling will end on December 10
These proposals will include attempts to convert a person from being attracted by the same-sex to being attracted towards the opposite-sex or vice-versa.
The consultation document states: “The Government is determined that no person is placed on a clinical path that is not right. Young people are supported in exploring who they are without being encouraged to follow one path.”
This is especially true for young adults, who may end up with an ‘irreversible determination’.
According to the GEO, simply expressing the teachings and values of a religion does not constitute conversion therapy. It also cannot be’reasonably understood” to include casual conversations or private prayers.
It stated that it will continue working with faith communities in order to develop an approach to protect people while respecting freedom of religion and belief.