On 18 March 2024, The Equality Network, an LGBTQ+ equality and campaign organisation in Scotland, hosted an event where diverse faith leaders, faith groups and LGBTQ+ Survivors of Conversion Practices shared their support for banning conversion practices.
Conversion practices are any act intended to change, suppress or inhibit another person’s sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Scottish government is seeking views on planned legislation to end conversion practices.
The proposed legislation seeks to prevent and respond to harmful acts while protecting existing freedoms including speech, religion and belief.
The Equality Network described their event as a “a sensitive, productive and informed discussion about the legislation being proposed by the Scottish Government to end conversion practices.”
Among other issues relating to the legislation, the groups discussed the importance of awareness within communities and ensuring that consenting to conversion practices is not a defence.
Revd. Dr. Alex Clare-Young, moderator of the Iona Community’s LGBTQ+ Common Concern Network said:
“As a trans, queer survivor of conversion practices in Scotland and as an ordained minister it gives me hope for the futures of faith communities and of LGBTQ+ people to be a part of respectful, open and rigorous conversations that enable transformation and justice.”
On its website, the Evangelical Alliance described the Scottish Government’s intention as “good and right”, but expressed concern that: “the proposed legislation has the potential to be harmful for all individuals involved and affect religious freedom in Scotland
“Churches should continue to be free to teach fidelity within a marriage between a man and a woman, and abstinence outside of this, and provide discipleship, support and prayer to those seeking to live this way.”
In 2021 the UK Government commissioned academics from Coventry University to assess the international research on conversion therapy.
This confirmed scientific consensus that conversion therapies are not effective at changing gender identity or sexual orientation, and risk causing mental health problems.
Despite saying it would introduce a bill to ban conversion therapy by the end of October 2023, the UK government has not yet published a draft bill.
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