FMQs: First Minister must use Pride Month to finally ban conversion therapy
The Scottish Greens are calling on the First Minister to fulfil a longstanding promise to LGBTQ Scots by banning conversion therapy so-called ‘conversion therapy’ within the year.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer reminded John Swinney of his promise to ban so-called conversion therapy - a traumatic form of torture used to suppress or change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity — within a year of the election if the UK Government failed to bring forward its own bill.
Despite years of promises, Labour have failed to introduce any proposals for a UK-wide ban.
Ross asked the First Minister:
“This week marks the start of Pride Month.
“Pride isn’t just a celebration of the LGBTQ community - it is a protest.
“And it's clear why protest is still needed - A decade ago the UK consistently came top of the list for LGBTQ rights in Europe. Today we have fallen to 22nd place.
“That is primarily a result of the vicious wave of transphobia unleashed in recent years, but the attacks on our whole community are escalating.
“One of the many shameful stains on the UK’s record is the failure to ban the form of torture known as conversion therapy.
“The First Minister promised a ban on so-called conversion therapy in Scotland within a year of the election if the UK Government failed to bring forward its own bill.
“As it stands, Labour have repeatedly promised to bring forward that bill, but failed to do so.
“So will the First Minister take this opportunity during Pride Month to confirm that he will fulfil his promise to LGBTQ+ Scots.
“Will his Programme for Government include a ban on so-called conversion therapy?”