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The British government has confirmed that the practice of dangerous and harmful conversion therapy will soon be outlawed in the United Kingdom.

The ban which is a direct result of a nationwide survey, that made 75 recommendations to the U.K. government with the aim of promoting equality, and fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Penny Mordaunt, who is the Minister for Women and Equalities highlighted the survey’s results noting that two percent of respondents said they had “undergone conversion or reparative therapy in an attempt to ‘cure’ them of being LGBT” while another five percent of respondents said they “had been offered it.”

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“We will bring forward proposals to end the practice of conversion therapy in the U.K.,” said the government in its “LGBT Action Plan: Improving the Lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals and Transgender People” document that it submitted to Parliament.

“These activities are wrong, and we are not willing to let them continue.”

The Government Equalities Office which will lead the efforts to outlaw the highly discredited practice say, “We will fully consider all legislative and non-legislative options to prohibit promoting, offering or conducting conversion therapy.”

“Our intent is to protect people who are vulnerable to harm or violence, whether that occurs in a medical, commercial or faith-based context.”

The Government Equalities Office added, “not trying to prevent LGBT people from seeking legitimate medical support or spiritual support from their faith leader in the exploration of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Ruth Hunt, who is the Chief executive of the British LGBTI advocacy group, Stonewall, said in a statement it is “absolutely vital that more is done to stamp out this demeaning and unethical act.” Hunt also welcomed the government’s recommendations as “an important first step.”

You can help make conversion therapy illegal here in New Zealand by signing a new petition addressed to Prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

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