Greens call for SNP to set timeline for banning conversion practices
The Scottish Government must act to end conversion practices over the next 12 months, says Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell.
Mr Ruskell made the call in a Portfolio Question to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville.
Conversion practices are any acts intended to change or suppress someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
A promise to ban the cruel, callous practices was part of the Bute House Agreement that Scottish Greens negotiated after the last Holyrood elections.
However, the SNP dropped this commitment once the Greens were out the room, opting to work with a Westminster government on a UK-wide ban, with little progress.
In his question to the Minister, Mr Ruskell said:
“The LGBTQ+ community across Scotland feel really let down and frustrated.
“No new Human Rights Bill, minimal progress on the Non-Binary Action Plan, Gender Recognition Reform blocked at Westminster, slow progress on the Misogyny Bill and it now looks like a law to end conversion practices has stalled.
“This inaction sits against a backdrop of rising prejudice against trans people in particular, both in our society and in this building. For me, recent debates have marked an absolute low point in the 25 year history of this parliament.
“I urge the Cabinet Secretary to listen to this community and to give them the support that they need to live their lives with dignity and respect.
“Will she ensure that progress is made to end conversion practices by March 2026?”