Scotland is advancing with its plan to ban conversion therapy, with the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees launching a public consultation on the legislation.
Announcing the public consultation on Tuesday (9 January), Emma Roddick, Scotland’s Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, emphasised the challenging climate in the UK but added the need to push forward on proposed legislation to prohibit these harmful practices.
.@scotgov is seeking views on proposals to end conversion practices: https://t.co/vZtHQTuDQk
At a visit to @LGBTHealthy, Equalities Minister @Emma_Roddick discussed how the proposals could prevent harm while protecting freedoms including speech, religion, and belief. pic.twitter.com/faC2dpjbBk
— Scot Gov Fairer (@ScotGovFairer) January 10, 2024
The proposed Scottish legislation aims to outlaw actions such as prescribing medication to suppress sexual orientation, controlling personal activities and appearance, and any form of threatening or humiliating conduct. However, the government assured that the legislation would protect freedoms related to speech, religion, and belief, clarifying that parental guidance or healthcare advice on identity exploration would not be considered conversion practices.
Speaking to PinkNews, Roddick highlighted the resistance and abuse often encountered when advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in the UK, emphasising the need to persist in making progress. The consultation is seen as a crucial step forward, especially after the intense debates and legal challenges surrounding the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) bill.
The minister expressed concerns about the tone of discussions on LGBTQ+ issues but remained open to feedback from all perspectives. She underlined the importance of finding common ground to protect people from harm due to their identity. The Scottish government has also funded the LGBT Health and Wellbeing Helpline to support those affected by conversion practices.
While Scotland moves forward with its ban, Roddick lamented the lack of progress in other parts of the UK, including Westminster, where promises to outlaw conversion therapy have yet to materialise. The Scottish government aims to pass the bill within the current parliamentary term, hoping for broader implementation of such bans globally. Roddick expressed her readiness to collaborate with any UK government to support the LGBTQ+ community.
