LGBTQ Celebrities Urge Immediate Conversion Therapy Ban in UK Amid Government Inaction
Celebrities claim the UK government is "giving the green light for abusers to continue unhindered" as plans to ban conversion therapy see repeated U-turns, despite the practice being widely condemned by leading health organizations and its prevalence indicated in surveys of LGBTQ community.
- Prominent LGBTQ celebrities, including Rylan, Russel Tovey, Alan Cumming, Mae Martin, Munroe Bergdorf, and Dr Ranj, have drafted a joint letter to the U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, publicly demanding an immediate ban on conversion therapy in the U.K.
- The proposed ban, which was initally promised by the Conservative government nearly five years ago, has seen repeated flip-flops, U-turns, and changes in plans, leading campaigners and LGBTQ activists to question if a ban will ever be legislated.
- The government's repeated backpedaling on the issue is seen by celebrities and activists as a failure of the U.K. government towards protecting the LGBTQ community from rising hate crimes, providing access to specialised healthcare, and upholding LGBTQ inclusive education laws.
- The ambiguity and potential loopholes in the proposed ban, such as a 'religious loophole' that would allow some forms of the abusive practice to continue and a 'consent loophole' that could be exploited, remain a significant concern for campaigners.
- Conversion therapy, widely condemned by leading health organizations worldwide and considered a form of abuse, remains prevalent in the U.K., with a government survey citing that at least 7% of the LGBTQ community have fallen victims to or been offered the practice.
Forbes 
Sky News 
