Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

LGBT Conversion Therapy — [James Gray in the Chair]

08 March 2021 · 17 other contributors · 14,429 words

Opened by Elliot Colburn Con Carshalton and Wallington

Responding minister: Kemi Badenoch

Women & Equalities

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Elliot Colburn raised concerns about lgbt conversion therapy — [james gray in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Elliot Colburn is concerned about the continued legality of LGBT conversion therapy in the UK, citing a UN report that all forms of conversion therapy are inherently degrading and discriminatory.
  • Colburn calls for a comprehensive ban on all forms of LGBT conversion therapy and requests the Government to provide a timeline for introducing a Bill to criminalize such practices.
  • The petition presented by Colburn has 256,392 signatures, including from his own constituency, highlighting widespread concern over the issue.

Key requests to Government

Colburn calls for a comprehensive ban on all forms of LGBT conversion therapy and requests that the Government provide a timeline for introducing a Bill to criminalize such practices. He emphasizes the need for this ban to be implemented without delay to protect individuals from further psychological and emotional abuse.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Elliot Colburn Con Carshalton and Wallington

Elliot Colburn is concerned about the continued legality of LGBT conversion therapy in the UK, despite widespread condemnation by health bodies and religious leaders. He cited a UN report stating that all forms of conversion therapy are inherently degrading and discriminatory. The petition he opened had 256,392 signatures, including from his own constituency. Colburn shared stories of individuals who experienced various forms of conversion therapy, ranging from psychological treatments to physical violence, highlighting the ongoing harm caused by these practices.

Other contributors (17)
  • Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford

    Alicia Kearns emphasised the need for legislative action to protect LGBT individuals from conversion therapy, noting that victims currently have no legal recourse. She presented a proposed framework supported by LGBTQ advocacy groups and faith leaders, aimed at enabling prosecutions, identifying perpetrators, and protecting potential victims.

  • Alyn Smith SNP Central Scotland

    Called for this debate to act on conversion therapy issue. Alyn Smith highlighted cross-party consensus, figures from UK Government's LGBT survey indicating higher instances among trans community, and need for legislation with support from NGOs, equalities community, and faith groups.

  • Angela Eagle Lab Wallasey

    Expressed concern over the harmful effects of conversion therapy, noting that more than half of those who have undergone it report mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. Emphasised the need for a ban to protect vulnerable LGBT+ teenagers.

  • Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North

    Charlotte Nichols, a Labour MP from Warrington North, expressed concerns about the harmful effects of LGBT conversion therapies. She cited statistics from a national faith and sexuality survey indicating that 58.8% of people who underwent such therapies had suffered mental health issues, including anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts.

  • Crispin Blunt Con Reigate

    Calls for legislative action to ban LGBT conversion therapy based on precedents from Spain and Victoria, Australia. Stresses the importance of protecting trans individuals who are particularly vulnerable, urging that any legislation must explicitly include them to counteract the recent challenges they face.

  • David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale

    Called for action from the Government on ending conversion therapy, highlighting that 2% of the LGBT+ community had received such therapy and 5% had been offered it. Urged collaboration between UK and Scottish Governments to deliver a ban across the United Kingdom.

  • Gary Sambrook Con Weaver Vale

    Conversion therapy is a manipulation of emotions and can cause severe emotional turmoil. It involves shame, not belonging, and feeling selfish. Gary stresses the importance of banning conversion therapy to prevent further harm to individuals, especially young people.

  • Hannah Bardell SNP Livingston

    She shared personal experiences and first-hand accounts of the devastating effects of conversion therapy, emphasizing that such practices must be stopped. She highlighted that faith groups were responsible for 51% of conversion therapies according to a national LGBT survey.

  • Hywel Williams PC Arfon

    In Arfon, 243 people signed the petition for a legislative ban on conversion therapy. He urged the inclusion of banning advertising and promotion of such practices and proper support for victims.

  • Jamie Wallis Lab Swansea East

    Conversion therapy is damaging, degrading and discriminatory; it causes severe physical and psychological suffering and violates LGBT community's human rights. Jamie Wallis echoed the need for a legislative ban, protection regardless of age, support for victims, and banning advertising promotion.

  • John Nicolson SNP Nairn, Aberdeenshire and Moray

    Condemns the concept of LGBT conversion therapy as a cruel relic from the past. Emphasises that being gay is not something to be fixed but accepted. Shares personal story about interviewing an unqualified conversion therapist who preys on vulnerable young people, highlighting how such practices are harmful and abusive.

  • Kirsten Oswald SNP East Renfrewshire

    Ms. Oswald highlighted the significant increase in petition signatures regarding conversion therapy, noting a sevenfold rise since 2017 to nearly a quarter of a million signatures last year. She expressed concern over the delay in action despite widespread agreement on banning the practice and questioned why more research is needed when detailed data already exists from a previous survey. She also raised issues with potential narrow definitions of conversion therapy that might not achieve the goal of ending it entirely.

  • Mark Fletcher

    Society has come a long way but individuals still face pressures to deny who they are. Conversion therapy, an abhorrent practice without medical justification, must end. He encourages young LGBTQ+ individuals that lawmakers have their backs and will continue pushing for this ban.

  • Mike Hill Lab Plymouth Moor View

    Mike Hill highlighted the shocking number of LGBT individuals, particularly young adults and trans people, who have experienced conversion therapy. He cited Stonewall's data indicating that one in 20 LGBT individuals has undergone or been recommended for such therapies. He expressed concern over families forcing these practices on their children and sending them abroad for treatment based on misconceptions.

  • Simon Baynes Con Clwyd South

    He thanked his constituent Madeline Dhesi and spoke on her behalf, supporting the campaign to ban conversion therapy. He expressed concern about the long-term mental and physical impacts of this practice, including increased suicide risk.

  • Stella Creasy Lab Co-op Walthamstow

    Stella supports the ban on conversion therapy, highlighting its harmful effects and lack of evidence. She emphasizes that it is not a matter of medical ethics but about creating an inclusive society. She also mentions the increased risk of suicide, depression, and drug use for unsupported LGBTQ+ youth.

  • Stephen Doughty Lab Co-op Cardiff South and Penarth

    Conversion therapy is happening in the UK, it is torture and a denial of basic human rights. It leads to violence and can result in death. The practice is harmful and should be banned with protections for trans and non-binary people.

Government Response

Kemi Badenoch

It is a pleasure to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Gray. May I start by thanking those who signed the petition for raising the important issue of conversion therapy, and my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Elliot Colburn) for introducing the debate? I also thank all colleagues for speaking so passionately about this issue. I know how important it is to so many parliamentarians, and it is right that we should have this time to debate it. I will endeavour to answer the various questions put this evening. I am pleased to be able to respond not just to acknowledge the importance of the topic but to say more about the Government's approach to ending conversion therapy. We have a proud record of championing equal opportunity, and it is of great importance to me and the Government that everyone has the freedom to live their life as they see fit without fear or intimidation. I assure hon. Members that we are committed to ending conversion therapy in the UK and we take the issue very seriously. The Prime Minister reiterated recently that we want to end conversion therapy and underlined that the practice has 'no place in a civilised society'. The 2017 national LGBT survey found that 5% of respondents—people in the UK—had been offered conversion therapy and 2% had undergone it, with more than 108,000 responses. Acknowledging that conversion therapy is wrong and should end is only the first step in tackling such behaviours. The Government want to ensure that we correctly identify and capture these harmful practices. Officials are undertaking a review of the current legislative framework to see how conversion therapy can be stopped by making use of existing laws and offences. Many acts of conversion therapy are already illegal, including sexual violence and kidnapping, as well as inciting violence. We need to explore all measures to combat those abhorrent practices, ensuring that survivors have access to the help and care they need. We will continue engaging with religious organisations and groups to understand how best support LGBT people of faith. All major counselling and psychotherapy bodies in the UK have agreed to tackle conversion therapy in healthcare settings. We are also looking at international approaches, such as Germany's ban on conversion therapy for minors only or when an adult has been coerced, but we understand that different countries will take different approaches that best suit their needs. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The safety of LGBT people in the UK in every aspect of their life is of utmost importance to me, including in our work on conversion therapy. The Government appointed Dr Michael Brady as the first national adviser on LGBT healthcare and announced changes to blood donation criteria for men who have sex with men in long-term relationships. We are also taking meaningful actions to address long waiting times for gender identity services. Our goal now is to end these harmful practices, and we will engage widely and listen carefully so that we can develop measures that end them for good. Officials from the Government Equalities Office have been in liaison with Welsh Government officials, and no devolved competence has been requested by the Welsh Government.

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