During an address on May 11, the Queen confirmed that LGBTQ+ conversion therapy will be banned in the UK, following a parliamentary debate on the topic. During the long-awaited speech, she detailed government future plans, saying: “Measures will be brought forward to address racial and ethnic disparities and ban conversion therapy.” A public consolation regarding the issue will now be held.
LGBTQ+ activists are celebrating the news but also demanding an immediate end to the controversial practice, with Mermaids tweeting: “It has been confirmed in the Queen’s speech that so-called conversion therapy will be banned. This abuse must end. No more delays. No more consultations.”
Stonewall seconded this, with Nancy Kelley, saying: “We welcome the commitment to introduce legislation to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy. However, the news of a consultation is concerning and will be hard for our communities to hear. We don’t need a consultation to know that all practices that seek to convert, suppress, cure or change us are dangerous, abusive and must be banned.”
March 28 marked 1,000 days since the government first promised to ban LGBTQ+ conversion therapy, with Boris Johnson referring to the practice as “abhorrent”. A debate was held earlier this year but so far no official ban has been enacted.
