Last week, the Government made a shocking U-turn on its plans to ban conversion therapy in the UK.
First it was announced that they had scrapped the ban completely, but only a few hours later, it was announced that the ban was going ahead – except it was not going to cover transgender people (on Trans Day of Visibility, no less).
It’s hard to know where to even begin with this, but it shows yet again how the Government has no real commitment to LGBT+ equality as a whole.
The fact transgender people are being left out makes absolutely no sense – as according to the Government’s own National LGBT Survey 2018, 9% of trans people are offered conversion therapy as opposed to 5% of gay men, lesbians and bisexual people.
So, according to their own evidence, trans people are at an increased risk of conversion therapy – and yet they see no reason to protect our community.
It’s also important to remember that people can be both lesbian, gay, or bisexual AND trans. These communities are simply too intertwined for the Government to make this shocking decision to try and divide it.
It’s as if they need reminding that you can’t have LGBT without the T.
It is an insult that will continue to have devastating consequences to our community, and it’s more important than ever that we speak up, protest this and demand change.
This isn’t just outrageous – it’s cruel and inhumane. It’s reminiscent of the dark ages.
This exclusion will only invigorate those who are currently campaigning against our rights, and will continue to fuel discrimination and hate directed at our community.
The Government has consistently failed to deliver on its commitment on LGBT+ rights, in particular on its so-called commitment to trans rights. The reform of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) has not happened, despite a 2018 government consultation showing an overwhelming majority in favour of a full reform.
In April 2021, cabinet minister Liz Truss disbanded their LGBT+ panel after failing to meet their suggestions and its panel members resigned claiming the Government had created a ‘hostile environment’ for the LGBT+ community in Britain.
Could there be a more clear sign that our government, and perhaps England in particular, has a serious problem with transphobia?
On top of that, Liz Truss has openly encouraged government institutions to withdraw their support from Stonewall, the biggest LGBT+ charity in Europe.
It simply shows that the Government has no real interest in advancing LGBT+ rights as a whole, and they are now firmly setting themselves in camp with other countries that are actively curtailing or halting progress when it comes down to equality and freedom for LGBT+ people.
It is no secret that the Conservative Party has a terrible record on LGBT+ rights, with Section 28 – which prevented the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools – being one of the most devastating legislations passed in this country for our community.
While the law was repealed in 2003, the shadow of Section 28 still looms over LGBT+ people, and the damage it has done affected so many of our community – and still does.
Many of the same arguments that were used against gay rights back then are now being recycled against trans people – in particular painting trans people as a threat to society, and that young people are being ‘influenced’ to become trans.
There are 14 countries around the world that have passed a ban on conversion therapy, with many more being in the process of it.
Even though England is now joining their ranks, by excluding transgender people, they are becoming an outlier. Even Scotland and Wales have vowed to continue with a full ban and distance themselves from this disgraceful attack on the wider LGBT+ community.
Could there be a more clear sign that our government, and perhaps England in particular, has a serious problem with transphobia? Is it any wonder we are apparently referred to as ‘TERF island’ and ‘transphobia capital of the world’?
The Government is deliberately ignoring a body of evidence – mostly their own body of evidence – in favour of an anti-trans rhetoric that dominates our media and political discussion on trans rights.
This exclusion is a direct action against the wellbeing and human rights of transgender people, and it is a serious violation of this countries’ values of freedom, human rights and dignity.
By allowing it to continue unchallenged, the Government is indirectly condoning these practices and the harm it causes transgender people. Evidently protecting those who carry out this torture is a bigger priority to them than protecting its survivors.
We need our allies more than ever to speak up and say they will not stand for this. We cannot allow this draconian practice to continue harming members of our community while the Government sits idly by.
Now is the time to demand change and hold the Government accountable to its old promises of commitment to LGBT+ rights and equality.
Not just for transgender people, but for everyone in this country that are fighting for their rights.
If they can so easily disregard the human rights of transgender people, who will be next? What other groups will they continue to ignore and make no attempts to protect from harm?
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk.
Share your views in the comments below.
MORE : What is conversion therapy?
MORE : Conversion therapy ban won’t cover trans people after double U-turn
MORE : Boris does a U-turn on a U-turn and will ban conversion therapy on gay people
Share this with