Conversion Therapy statements by professional bodies

A collection of responses from medical bodies condeming the governments conversion therapy ban plans

BMA conversion therapy statement

https://www.bma.org.uk/bma-media-centre/ban-on-conversion-therapy-must-extend-to-every-member-of-the-lgbtqplus-community-says-bma

Dr Latifa Patel, acting chair of the BMS's representative body, said:

It's some relief to hear that the Government has now decided to ban the horrific practice of so-called conversion therapy for gay or bisexual people in England and Wales. However, it's with great dismay to read reports that this will not extend to transgender people, despite there being no evidence whatsoever that it is a credible form of medicine.

In fact, 'conversion therapy' has been debunked countless times as an unethical and damaging practice that preys on victims of homophobia, transphobia, discrimination, and bullying. For those subjected to it, it can also increase the risk of long-lasting psychological harm, substance abuse, or even suicide. Many acts of conversion therapy amout to torture, inhuman or degrading tratment or punishment - violation of international and UK law. That the Government can recognise a set of practices, methods and activities as 'abhorrent', damaging and cruel for one group but suggest that those same practices, methods and activities can be acceptably perpetrated on another group is profoundly troubling.

The BMA has long opposed 'converstion therapy' and belives it must be banned in its entirety. While this is now supposedly happening for gay and bisexual people, it seems the Government will only rely on current legislation or non-legislative options for transgender people who are subjected to the practice. And yet it's clear that this isn't enough. Trans people are already most vulnerable to being subjected to so-called conversion therapy, with one in seven trans people reporting that they had been offered or had 'conversion therapy'.

UK Council for Psycotherapy statement on conversion therapy

https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/news/ukcp-statement-conversion-therapy-ban/

We are concerned by recent reports about changes to the government’s plans for a ban on conversion therapy. Conversion therapy can cause very serious harm and any ban that does not explicitly protect trans, asexual, non-binary and other people at risk of conversion therapy will not be fit for purpose.

UKCP supports practitioners in adopting a non-judgemental approach towards matters of sexual orientation and gender identity, working with clients to explore their own emergent sense of identity without the practitioner adopting coercive practices towards a pre-determined outcome. We have repeatedly offered to support the government in developing legislation in this complex area, to protect people from conversion therapy without impacting safe, ethical therapy.

We are disappointed that the government has not engaged more meaningfully with us in reaching its current apparent position. It is essential that any conversion therapy ban protects all those at risk – and, internationally, there are numerous examples of legislation that manages this.

We urge the government to work with us and other organisations representing the LGBTQ+ community and mental health professionals to rectify the situation.

Royal College of Psychiatrists statement on conversion therapy

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2022/04/01/government-should-reconsider-its-plans-to-not-ban-conversion-therapy-for-transgender-people

Dr Adrian James, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:

Conversion therapy is a damaging, degrading and discriminatory practice that seeks to correct something that does not need fixing - a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.

The reported decision to only ban conversion therapy for gay and bisexual people but not those who are transgender is discriminatory and very disappointing. Conversion therapy causes severe physical and psychological suffering, violates the human rights of all LGBTQ+ people, and has been called a form of torture.

We urge Government to reconsider its plans to ban so called conversion therapy only for cisgender people, and we fully support calls for the ban to cover transgender people. Clinicians can still help people fully explore their gender identity where appropriate but it’s time for this unacceptable and harmful practice to end.