Critics warn that doctors and parents could be charged if they ask children to switch genders.
They fear a new law – aimed at sparing gay people from being subjected to cruel ‘conversion therapy’ – could be used to end legitimate discussions with young people who want hormone treatment.
Peers and MPs believe that the Conversion Therapy (Prohibition Bill) Bill has been rushed through Parliament. This prevents them from giving the bill the thorough attention it deserves.
The Government is allowing only a six-week consultation on its proposals – half the usual length – and ministers have refused to confirm that lawyers will be able to pore over the draft, in a process known as pre- legislative scrutiny.
The Bill will be tabled as scheduled in spring. It won’t include any recommendations from the ongoing gender identity service review by Dr Hilary Cass. This was done in response to concerns about a rise in teenage prescriptions of puberty blocksers.
The Bill will also enshrine controversial theories of gender identity in law, even though there is disagreement about what they mean.
Dr David Bell (pictured) stressed that therapists should be able to discuss the ideas patients have about themselves – but they could now be accused of illegally trying to convert a young person if they do not simply agree with and ‘affirm’ whatever gender they identify with.
“There is no doubt that the Bill’s motivation was to interfer with the neutrality of physicians,” said Dr David Bell. He’s the author of an indicting report about the Gender Identity Development Service of Tavistock NHS Trust, where he was staff governor.
The retired consultant psychiatrist stressed that therapists should be able to discuss the ideas patients have about themselves – but they could now be accused of illegally trying to convert a young person if they do not simply agree with and ‘affirm’ whatever gender they identify with.
It will lead to the best psychotherapists, those open-minded. [no longer]He stated that taking these patients on was necessary to protect yourself from being arrested.
Dr. Bell stated that professional regulations already ban therapists from performing conversion practices.
“It’s an extremely blunt and dangerous instrument which will interfer with the capability of therapists, and it will mean that children and teenagers will suffer.”
He warned that it would be wrong for Bill to refer to ‘gender identification’ or ‘conversion therapy without clearly defining them.
Given the complex nature of the matter and the extremely toxic environment where it happens, Parliament should take more time to reflect on this. He said that he was shocked at the speed of its completion.
Mark Jenkinson (Tory MP for Workington, Cumbria) addressed the Commons. He said that the topic was complex and delicate and proposed to criminalize clinicians and parents who help children take their time before they embark on potentially a lifetime of medical treatment.
“It also covers the Cass review report early next year.
Bell is a consultant psychiatrist and worked for the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. It runs the UK’s sole gender identity service for children.
Jacob Rees Mogg was directly asked by Jenkinson if ministers will ‘ensure significant prior-legislative scrutiny.’ Jacob Rees Mogg responded that they would consult with all those interested and people who were involved in conversion therapy.
According to the Government, the ban on conversion therapy is not going to affect the capability of doctors and clinicians offer support.
The Government’s Equality Hub spokesperson stated that it is ‘committed’ to banning all forms of coercive conversion therapy within the country.
The authors added that they were currently consulting about a ban. Their proposals struck the right balance between legitimate practitioners being able to continue practicing freely and protecting those who are at greatest risk from such an abhorrent act.
The Equalities Select Committee (EQC) will quiz Mike Freer on this issue next week.
His questions will include the definitions of conversion therapy by the government, as well as informed consent and gender identification.