The UK government’s draft Conversion Practices Bill has been under pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both Houses since mid-October. Published on 25 June and covering England and Wales, the bill would criminalise abusive conduct intended to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or transgender identity, where that conduct causes serious harm, alarm or distress. The offence would carry up to five years in prison. Courts could also issue protection orders for people at risk. The bill exempts legitimate healthcare and does not criminalise the expression of beliefs or exploratory conversations. It delivers on Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledge of “a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices”. At publication, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Stonewall, Galop, the Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner welcomed the bill. Dr Hilary Cass, author of the Cass Review, also welcomed its clearer definition of conversion practices.
The Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Concern, the Coalition for Marriage, the Free Speech Union and the Christian Institute have campaigned against the bill. They argue it could criminalise parents, and Christian Concern is urging supporters to submit evidence to the committee. The Christian Institute has said it may seek a judicial review if the bill becomes law. Former Labour Health Minister Preet Kaur Gill has raised similar concerns. Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson has said the threshold for criminality is high enough to protect ordinary parenting.
SOURCES:
🔗 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-conversion-practices-bill