Equalities minister condemns Conservative retreat on conversion-therapy ban
Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson said the government must protect LGBT+ people and accused Conservative ministers of lacking interest in tolerance after the Conservative Party withdrew its support for a ban on conversion therapy in the United Kingdom. Her comments came as the draft Conversion Practices Bill faced growing criticism. The criticism follows a series of objections to the draft bill. A coalition of MPs, peers, experts and advocacy groups warned it could criminalise ordinary parental conversations about gender.
The Church of England and Catholic leaders said the legislation might unintentionally criminalise pastoral care and prayer. Labour parliamentarians echoed concerns that parents could be prosecuted for discussing gender identity with their children. Former director of public prosecutions Lord Macdonald warned the bill was unclear and could criminalise routine discussions between parents, clinicians and children.
