Scotland’s conversion practice ban must not be delayed
We cannot allow events at Westminster to delay Scotland introducing a ban on conversion practices, or so-called conversion therapy, says the Scottish Greens equalities spokesperson, Maggie Chapman MSP.
Ms Chapman has written to Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Sommerville, urging her to ensure that a ban on these cruel practices is included in the Scottish Government’s next Programme for Government.
Conversion practices are acts which intend to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The recent King’s Speech included a commitment by the new UK Government to introduce a Draft Conversion Practices Bill that would apply to England and Wales.
Since it was announced, media stories have indicated that the Scottish Government may seek to extend the application of the UK Parliament’s Bill to Scotland, rather than continuing with plans to introduce Scotland-specific legislation.
If you have been impacted by conversion practices, help is available at lgbthealth.org.uk
Ms Chapman said: “So-called conversion practices are cruel and dangerous, and we must stop them for good.
“Everyone in Scotland deserves to live their lives free from prejudice and discrimination. Nobody should be shamed because of their sexuality or gender identity or made to feel less equal because of who they are or who they love.
“A ban is finally in sight, and we cannot allow Westminster’s timetable to knock us off course or delay vital protections for people here in Scotland.
"We have no influence over the Westminster process, and the draft bill might not even include the protections that are needed or make it through parliament in the next five years.
“We have the power to act now, and we must take it. Victims and survivors of conversion practices deserve nothing less, and should not have to wait for another parliament to act when we have already promised action in Scotland and have the powers to deliver it.
“Far too many people have been made to suffer for far too long. We don’t have time to waste. I urge the Scottish Government to ensure that a watertight ban is included in the next Programme for Government and that it is introduced as soon as possible.”
Full text of Maggie Chapman’s letter to Shirley-Anne Sommerville
Dear Shirley-Anne,
Re: Ending Conversion Practices – Scotland must act now
Following our correspondence in May about our shared desire to see a comprehensive ban on conversion practices in Scotland, I am writing to you again to seek a commitment from the Scottish Government to include legislation to end these harmful acts in the forthcoming Programme for Government.
In May, Kaukab Stewart clearly stated her personal commitment to ending these practices which are harmful, discriminatory, and have no place in our society. Scottish Greens share this view, and I know many in the Scottish Government do too.
The recent King’s Speech following the General Election included a commitment by the new UK Government to a Draft Conversion Practices Bill, which would apply to England and Wales. There have been some comments in the media since this announcement that suggest that the Scottish Government will seek to extend the application of the UK Parliament’s Bill to Scotland, rather than continue with plans to introduce Scotland-specific legislation.
I believe that there is a clear mandate for legislation on this issue to be introduced in this parliamentary session. Indeed, there was a clear commitment between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens to bring forward a ban on conversion practices that was as comprehensive as possible under devolved powers by the end of 2023. For various reasons of which I am aware, this did not happen. But I was heartened to see progress on Scottish legislation with the consultation that ended in April 2024.
In addition to this, the unanimous report from the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee from 2022 that called for a comprehensive ban provides a clear parliamentary mandate for such legislation.
I and many other campaigners on this issue are concerned that waiting for legislation to pass through the House of Commons represents an unacceptable and avoidable delay to the delivery of important protections for members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Scotland.
There is no guarantee that the Draft Bill will actually be lodged in Westminster, and no guarantee that it will become law in the next five years.
Victims and survivors of conversion practices should not have to wait for another parliament to act when we have promised action in Scotland. We should not delay the creation of protections to ensure no other member of the LGBTQIA+ community in Scotland is subjected to the cruel and harmful practices we have the powers to prevent now.
Everyone in Scotland deserves to live their lives free from marginalisation and discrimination. No one should be made to feel less equal because of who they are or who they love. Banning conversion practices is a vital step towards ending the ideology that LGBTQIA+ identities are somehow wrong and must be changed.
I urge the Scottish Government not to delay any further, but to keep its word to the people of Scotland, fulfil the mandate from and wishes of Scotland’s Parliament as expressed by our two parties and the unanimous Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, and include a Bill that ends conversion practices in Scotland in the forthcoming Programme for Government.
You will have the Scottish Green Party’s full support on this issue if you choose to do so.
Yours sincerely
Maggie Chapman MSP
