Parliament today debated a petition which received more than 145,000 signatures aiming to “ensure trans people are fully protected under any conversion therapy ban.”
Petitions Select Committee Member and Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Global LGBT+ Rights, Elliot Colburn MP opened the debate which asked the Government to “Ensure any ban fully includes trans people and all forms of conversion therapy.”
The petitioners highlighted that “It’s shameful that the UK intends to deliberately exclude trans people from a ban in contrast to the approach taken by many countries, despite trans people being at a greater risk of experiencing the harmful and degrading practices.”
Their campaign says, “the Government’s own figures show that trans people are nearly twice as likely to be at risk of experiencing the harmful and degrading practices of conversion therapy” and that “a ban needs to ensure all forms of conversion therapy are banned.”
Conversion practices are inherently dangerous
Speaking exclusively to Chamber UK ahead of the debate today, Colburn said “conversion therapy is a harmful practice, no matter who you are, or how you identify and its about protecting people from being harmed.”
He said that he wanted to demonstrate the cross-party support for an inclusive conversion therapy ban that includes a ban on trans conversion therapy.
Stressing the importance of the debate, he said “conversion practices are inherently dangerous and are harmful towards other people.
“This is not about criminalising regulated and accredited conversions between healthcare professionals and their patients…between religious leaders or parents and their children. It’s about stopping people from undergoing harmful practices.”
Trans debate chaotic
Responding for the Government to the debate, Minister for Equalities Mike Freer MP confirmed that the Government plans to introduce a ban on conversion therapy practices intended to change a person’s sexual orientation.
Former Labour Leader and now independent MP, Jeremy Corbyn said “This proposal is unbelievably wrong, divisive and very short sighted. I hope the majority in this House will say we want a total ban on Conversion Therapy”
In one of the more impassioned contributions to the debate and reflecting on the lack of consensus, Minister Freer said that the debate “saddens him.” He said that he regrets that the debate continues because the trans community is not an “invisible blob, they are our friends, our colleagues.”
Considering the split in the debate, he confirmed the Government was looking at a narrow Bill to be published in around September. However, he failed to commit to including trans people in the forthcoming legislation.
Shadow Minister for Equalities, Anneliese Dodds called the Government policy “chaotic.”
She said that at no point before April had the Government suggested trans people were being treated differently.
Harmful and degrading
The Minister confirmed that the Government will conduct “separate work” to consider the issue of transgender conversion therapy because: “It is key that measures complement the existing clinical regulatory framework in this space, and that clinicians feel able to deliver legitimate therapies in supporting those experiencing gender dysphoria, especially those under 18.”
The Government also confirmed that it intends to publish its response to a recent public consultation on banning conversion therapy.
Addressing MPs, the Minister said “I remain wholly committed to banning conversation practices. We have to work together to make sure the legislation is right. But it is not our right to interfere in how people see each other.”
Summing up the debate, Colburn said “Conversion therapy is harmful, degrading and doesn’t work – no one should go through it and we have the opportunity to ensure no one does.”
Final thought
In comparison to some Westminster Hall debates, the chamber was hardly packed.
This may have something to do with a few other controversial policies being debated in the main House of Commons Chamber – lest we forget Rwanda or Northern Ireland.
However, for those that did intervene in the debate, you cannot doubt their passion – particularly the MP representing the Petitions Select Committee and new Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights, Elliot Colburn. He was thoughtful and considered, producing a stark contrast to the hyperbole often associated with the debate.
He clearly relished the opportunity to demonstrate to the Government that there is cross party support for the inclusion of a ban on trans conversion practices.
You might think that democracy is on its last legs in the UK, but today shows that anyone can call for a debate in Parliament through the Petitions Select Committee and cause a government minister to defend their position.
Whatever your thoughts on Parliament, Parliamentarians or even trans conversion therapy, this was an engaging debate that will no doubt help one of the most vulnerable communities in our country.