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# Conversion therapy ban: Johnson takes “freedom of religion very seriously”
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/conversion-therapy-ban-johnson-says-he-takes-freedom-of-religion-very-seriously/
- Published: 2021-04-14T10:49:10.000Z
- Updated: 2021-04-14T11:16:28.000Z
- Description: Johnson has confirmed that any ban on conversion therapy will not apply to LGBTQ+ adults who seek “pastoral support”.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, ban conversion therapy, Boris Johnson, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ rights, UK

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/borisjohnson-600-400-1.jpg)

Prime minister **Boris Johnson** has confirmed that any [potential ban](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/eight-parties-call-for-ban-on-conversion-therapy/) on conversion therapy in the **UK** will not apply to adults who seek *“pastoral support”* while exploring their identity. In a letter to the **Evangelical Alliance**, seen by *[Premier Christian News](https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/i-do-not-want-to-see-clergy-and-church-members-criminalised-boris-johnson-offers-assurances-over-conversation-therapy-ban?ref=scenemag.co.uk),* Johnson said: *“I want to reassure you that I take freedom of speech and freedom of religion very seriously”*, adding that he does *“not want to see clergy and church members criminalised for normal non-coercive activity.”*

Johnson was responding to a letter written in March by the Evangelical Alliance and seen by *[ITV News](https://www.itv.com/news/2021-03-16/evangelical-christians-urge-boris-johnson-not-to-ban-conversion-therapy?ref=scenemag.co.uk),* which claimed a full conversion therapy ban could interfere with *“common church activities”.* The letter also stated that *“for evangelical Christians, the teaching of the Bible is clear that sexual activity is restricted to monogamous marriage between one man and one woman.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/conversion-therapy3600.png)

It continued: *“For Christians who hold to this biblical teaching, it is essential that those who experience same-sex attraction are free to pursue and receive support to help them live in accordance with their beliefs.”* Despite Johnson’s letter, he has [insisted](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/johnson-vows-to-stamp-out-conversion-therapy-amid-controversy/) that his government will ‘stamp out’ conversion therapy. **March 28** marked 1,000 days since he first promised to do so.