The government must immediately ban conversion ​‘therapy’ for trans people

At the beginning of April, the UK government announced a ban on conversion therapy for gay and bisexual people in England and Wales. But no such ban was put in place for trans and non-binary people. And, just hours before the announcement, there were talks of the government abandoning plans to drop the ban altogether.

So-called conversion therapy is an archaic, cruel practice, which can leave those subjected to it with severe psychological damage by attempting to ​“cure” them of their sexuality or gender identity. A 2019 study undertaken by JAMA Psychiatry found that people who had undergone conversion therapy were more than twice as likely to attempt suicide.

Yet according to Stonewall’s LGBT in Britain Health Report, five per cent of LGBTQ+ people in the UK have been pressured into seeking such services – a figure that’s even higher for Black, Asian and minority ethnic members of the community. Meanwhile, 20 per cent of trans people are encouraged to go down the conversion therapy route when trying to access healthcare services.

These statistics are worrying. Clearly, conversion therapy holds the potential to put already marginalised trans people at even greater risk of alienation and harm.

​“The suicide rates amongst young trans people are unmatched by any other marginalised group in our society,” says Dani St James, founder of Not A Phase, a charity dedicated to supporting the lives of trans+ adults across the UK. ​“The news that they are to be further excluded will only have a detrimental effect on these figures. Blood will be on the hands of those that choose to turn a blind eye to this crisis.”

Religious individuals are particularly vulnerable to conversion therapy, which can often be disguised as simple talking therapy.

E*, a gay, non-binary person supported by charity and advocacy group Mermaids, was encouraged by their reverend to confess to being sexually abused as the ​“root cause” of their ​“gender and sexual diversity”. No such abuse had taken place, but the reverend spent hours trying to convince E that they weren’t gay or non-binary, and needed to find the ​“right path” to accepting God.

According to Mermaids, years later, E still struggles with trust issues, maintaining relationships and being physically intimate without feeling guilt and shame. ​“The emotional scars will always be there,” they say. ​“I miss many elements of the church, but looking back, what happened was unacceptable. It caused so much doubt and self-loathing. Never once would I have considered what happened to me was a form of conversion therapy – it was just conversation and suggestions, but they held so much power over me and made me hate who I was.”

It’s now more important than ever to attend protests, be vocal in our support for trans people in the UK and keep applying pressure on the government to U‑turn on excluding them from the conversion therapy ban.

Below, THE FACE spoke to five organisations who are taking direct action about the devastating impact of conversion therapy and what we can do to help.

A charity and advocacy group that supports gender variant and transgender youth, while providing inclusion and diversity training

“The pain and suffering the trans and non-binary community are already facing as a result of conversion practices will continue for decades to come should the government pursue with its appalling decision. It will exacerbate a mental health crisis in the trans community, where 54 per cent of young trans people already suffer from depression and 72 per cent suffer from self-harm. Transphobic hate crimes in the UK have seen a year-on-year rise and our exclusion from the ban on conversion practices sends a dangerous message to the wider public. The government’s actions mark a dark day in the history of LGBTQ+ rights in this country.

“Trans young people exist and it is our human right to be protected from practices which aim to suppress, ​‘cure’ or change us. We deserve to live and be free to be who we are. The government’s position must change if it truly supports us.”

A British charity that campaigns and provides services relating to HIV and sexual health

“Terrence Higgins Trust and 27 other HIV charities and community groups withdrew their support for the global LGBTQ+ Safe To Be Me conference, due to the Government U‑turn on its initial promise of a trans-inclusive conversion therapy ban. We have seen the devastating impact of conversion therapy on the lives of LGBTQ+ staff and service users, many of whom are living with HIV. The Government’s decision to go back on its promise to ban conversion therapy for all LGBTQ+ people is outrageous and must be reversed.

“Trans rights are human rights – progress without or at the expense of trans people is not progress at all. We stand together with Stonewall and the whole LGBTQ+ sector, and will not be divided.”

A lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights charity in the UK and the largest LGBTQ+ rights organisation in Europe

“By breaking its promise on delivering an inclusive ban on conversion practices, the UK government is abandoning trans people and putting them at risk of further harm. Trans people are nearly twice as likely to be targeted by conversion practices and it is shameful that the UK government is choosing which LGBTQIA+ people deserve protection. We call on the UK government to listen to medical experts – including the BMA and NHS England – and protect trans people from abuse.

“Stonewall and the Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition are also organising a protest against the Government’s plan this Sunday (17^th April) at 1pm.”