News / protest
Bristol decries trans conversion therapy
Blue and pink trans flags were held proudly on Saturday as hundreds called for a blanket ban on conversion therapy.
Members of the LGBT+ community and allies came together to stand against the government’s decision to ban conversion therapy – but not for trans people.
Some waved placards reading: ‘protect trans youth’, ‘let us live’ and ‘if you ignore them you ignore us all’.
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Others, including Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer, addressed the crowd to decry the law.
The protest was organised by Trans Pride South West and Bristol Pride, who said the government’s exclusion of trans people in the law is “shameful”.
They said: “It’s shameful that the UK intends to deliberately exclude trans people from a ban in contrast to the approach taken by many countries, despite trans people being at a greater risk of experiencing the harmful and degrading practices.”
“The government’s own figures show that trans people are nearly twice as likely to be at risk of experiencing the harmful and degrading practices of conversion therapy. A ban needs to ensure all forms of conversion therapy are banned.”
‘Conversion therapy is torture’, read one placard – photo: Betty Woolerton
According to the British Psychological Society, conversion therapy tries to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The government said it would ban what is sometimes called ‘gay cure therapy’ aimed at changing sexual orientation, but not gender identity. The plans were confirmed in the Queen’s Speech.
A Government spokesperson said: “The government has a proud record on LGBT rights, and the prime minister is committed to bringing forward legislation to ban conversion therapy.
“Recognising the complexity of issues and need for further careful thought, we will carry out separate work to consider the issue of transgender conversion therapy further.”
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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