The UK government is sleepwalking on LGBTQ+ rights
The post The UK government is sleepwalking on LGBTQ+ rights appeared first on GAY TIMES. Go to Source Author: Robbie de Santos
Read MoreCategory: Conversion Therapy
‘Conversion therapy’ restrictions won’t protect all LGBTQ+ people, UK government confirms
The UK government has finally responded to a petition calling for trans people to be protected by its restrictions on so-called ‘conversion therapy’. As of 13 May, the petition has more than 144,000 signatures and is the third most-signed open one on the government’s official website. At 10,000 signatures, the government was obligated to issue a response to it, which the Cabinet Office finally did on 13 May. The message acknowledged the “long-lasting harm” caused by the practice, though confirmed that the new legislation will not protect the entire LGBTQ+ community.…
Read MoreGreece bans LGBTQ+ ‘conversion therapy’ for minors
Greece banned so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for minors as part of a wider effort to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the country. The bill, which has been approved by Greece’s parliament, states that those caught illegally performing ‘conversion therapy’ could face fines and time in prison. Speaking to parliament last week, Thanos Plevris, the country’s Health Minister, said: “There were some false treatments that stated that when a minor has chosen a different sexual orientation, his parents could supposedly proceed with ‘treatments’ for this child to ‘return to normality’.”…
Read MoreQueen expected to confirm ‘conversion therapy’ ban in speech – but not for trans people
Queen Elizabeth II is expected to give an update on banning ‘conversion therapy’ during her annual speech at the state opening of parliament. Each year, the Queen gives a speech that sets out the programme of legislation expected to be pursued in the forthcoming parliamentary session by the government. Although exactly what she will announce remains unclear until the day, which bills are on the agenda is usually clear – as is the case with a ‘conversion therapy’ ban. “Measures will be brought forward to address racial and ethnic disparities…
Read MoreWelsh government moves forward with ‘conversion therapy’ ban
The Welsh government has announced how it plans to advance its ban on so-called ‘conversion therapy’ after Boris Johnson’s flip-flopping on the issue. Hannah Blythyn, the country’s Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, stated that NHS Wales has signed up to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to prohibit the practice. In effect, organisations working in mental or psychological health that sign it make a commitment to not provide or commission ‘conversion therapy’ in Wales. “As a government, we’ve committed to ensuring that we become the friendliest LGBTQ+ nation in Europe, where…
Read MorePetition to include trans people in UK’s ‘conversion therapy’ ban nears 150,000 signatures
The petition calling for trans people to be protected in a ban on ‘conversion therapy’ in the UK is less than 14,000 signatures away from 150,000. It is now the fourth most-signed open petition on the government’s official website. It previously reached the 100,000 threshold required to be considered for parliamentary debate on 11 April. The person who launched the petition, Sammantha Harris, told GAY TIMES that it “was born out of a frustration with how the current government is treating LGBTQ+ people and especially trans people.” “I was expecting…
Read MoreThousands protest trans people’s exclusion from ‘conversion therapy’ ban outside Downing Street
Thousands of people took to Downing Street on 10 April to protest the UK government’s decision to exclude trans people from a ban of so-called ‘conversion therapy’. “Trans rights are human rights” and “LGB with the T” were among the many phrases chanted by the crowd, which tripled in size in the space of around 30 minutes. GAY TIMES attended the demonstration, which was so big that the police had to redivert Whitehall’s traffic around it due it spilling onto the street. An array of LGBTQ+ activists and celebrities showed…
Read MoreKeir Starmer slams government for “flip-flopping” on ‘conversion therapy’ and calls for total ban
Keir Starmer has criticised the government for “flip-flopping” on ‘conversion therapy’ and said it should be banned “in all its forms”. A commitment to ban the practice was first made by Theresa May’s administration in 2018, though is yet to actually happen. Last week, it was revealed that the government had made a U-turn on its decision to ban ‘conversion therapy’ in its entirety, though after fierce backlash it made another U-turn and opted just to ban its use on gay people – but not transgender. “Recognising the complexity of…
Read MoreBoris Johnson defends decision to exclude trans people from ‘conversion therapy’ ban
The Prime Minister has argued it is not “reasonable” for children to make decisions on their gender without parental involvement. Speaking at a hospital today (6 April), Johnson stated the decision the exclude the transgender community from the ‘conversion therapy’ ban was done to consider the “complexities and sensitivities” of the issue, Sky News reports. The Prime Minister continued, stating the move would not “diminish our determination to tackle prejudice wherever we can”. Johnson defended his decision to pull back on the government’s initial ‘conversion therapy’ plans and argued that…
Read MoreGovernment cancels LGBTQ+ conference after boycott over ‘conversion therapy’ ban U-turn
The UK government’s first-ever global LGBTQ+ conference has been cancelled after it backtracked on a promise to ban ‘conversion therapy’. A commitment to ban the practice was first made by Theresa May’s administration in 2018, though is yet to actually happen. Last week, it was revealed that the government had made a U-turn on its decision to ban ‘conversion therapy’ in its entirety, though after fierce backlash it made another U-turn and opted just to ban its use on gay people – but not transgender. “Recognising the complexity of issues…
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