No place for conversion practices in modern Scotland
The Scottish Greens have welcomed SNP members backing a call to introduce a comprehensive ban on LGBT+ conversion practices.
Conversion practices are any acts intended to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Scotland is now the only place in the UK that has not introduced a draft bill to end them.
The Scottish Government shelved its commitment to ban these practices in 2024, arguing that a UK-wide approach would be better.
This was despite having completed a consultation, worked closely with survivors and building consensus with human rights organisations.
In June this year, the UK Government published draft legislation covering England and Wales – but not Scotland.
Prior to the 2026 Holyrood election, John Swinney committed to bringing in legislation for a ban on LGBT+ conversion practices in the first year of the Scottish Parliament term if the SNP won the election. However, plans were not included in the recent Programme for Government.
Scottish Greens Equalities spokesperson Kate Nevens said:
“This is a welcome move from the SNP, backing a comprehensive ban on LGBT+ conversion practices. But we now need to see this turned into action.
“Conversion practices are abusive, cruel and profoundly damaging – they have no place in modern Scotland.
“A comprehensive ban in Scotland has been promised for far too long and it was extremely disappointing that it was not included in the Programme for Government.
“We need Scotland-specific legislation to come to Parliament for scrutiny as soon as possible and this motion at SNP conference proves that there is support for that within the party.
“The SNP must listen and turn that call into a watertight ban. The Scottish Greens will be happy to work with them to do it.”