The Welsh Government has announced that it will ban so called ‘conversion therapy’. Humanists UK, which has campaigned for decades for a ban, has welcomed the announcement.
The news follows the UK Government announcing last month that it intends to propose a law to ban conversion therapy within the next year. The Northern Ireland Assembly also recently passed a motion in support of a ban. Officials are working to turn this motion into reality.
Wales Humanists Coordinator Kathy Riddick commented: ‘Conversion therapy means practices that try to coerce people out of their sexual orientation or gender identity. There is strong evidence that these practices can cause serious harm to those who are subjected to them. We are therefore pleased that the Welsh Government has committed to bringing in a ban.
‘Whilst we respect the right to freedom of religion or belief, we believe that the manifestations of those beliefs can be restricted if it harms the rights of others. Conversion therapy carried out in religious settings or because of religious teachings, such as exorcisms and forced prayer, can and should be banned. People experiencing distress over their sexual orientation or gender identity should not be exposed to coercive, medically discredited practices.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Wales Humanists Coordinator Kathy Riddick at kathy@humanists.uk or phone 07881 625 378.
Read more about our work on conversion therapy.
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