15 per cent of trans Londoners have been offered or have experienced conversion therapy.
The London Assembly has today called on the Chair of the Assembly to write to Ministers outlining its opposition to conversion therapy as an abusive practice, and that everyone including trans people should be protected from it.
Caroline Russell AM, who proposed the motion said:
"The shameful practice of conversion therapy is a form of mental abuse and is part of a long list of abuses that trans people face in many areas of their public and private lives.
“Protecting trans lives should not be a political football – it is a question of basic human rights and decency.
“I’m so glad that the Assembly spoke with one voice, standing with our trans and gender diverse friends, colleagues and neighbours in rejecting the despicable practice of conversion therapy and calling for trans people to be included in the protection of the Government’s conversion therapy ban."
Emma Best AM, who seconded the motion said:
“Conversion therapy is an abusive practice. All people regardless of gender, sexual orientation or religious belief must have a legal guarantee of protection.
“Despite claims to the contrary this is not a complicated issue, there are no circumstances where this practice is acceptable for anyone in the LGBT+ community. I am supporting this motion and calling on the Mayor to write to ministers and ensure that the rules are clear, that everyone is protected from undergoing conversion therapy.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes that in the Government's 2017 National LGBT survey, 15% of trans Londoners said they had been offered or had experienced conversion therapy.
This Assembly notes that conversion therapy is an abusive practice, that everyone should be protected from, and believes that legislation to prevent it should not exclude trans people.
This Assembly calls on the Chair of the Assembly to write to the relevant ministers, making the principle that everyone should be protected from conversion therapy clear.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Caroline Russell AM who proposed the motion is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.