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# Conversion therapy ban to be scrapped by UK government
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/conversion-therapy-ban-to-be-scrapped-by-uk-government/
- Published: 2022-03-31T20:53:56.000Z
- Updated: 2022-03-31T20:53:56.000Z
- Description: The UK government has abandoned its pledge to ban so-called conversion therapy, which attempts to change or suppress someone’s sexuality or gender identity and is already outlawed in several other countries including Canada and New Zealand, according to a leaked document shared with ITV News
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: News, Boris Johnson, conversion therapy, LGBT, LGBTQ, Peter Tatchell

The **UK government** has [abandoned its pledge to ban so-called conversion therapy,](https://www.itv.com/news/2021-10-28/government-moves-closer-to-ban-on-conversion-therapy-unless-you-consent?ref=scenemag.co.uk) which attempts to change or suppress someone’s sexuality or gender identity and is already outlawed in several other countries including **Canada** and **New Zealand**, according to a leaked document shared with **ITV News**.

The official briefing says that Prime Minister **Boris Johnson** has decided not to outlaw the practice, despite repeated promises by the PM and his predecessor **Theresa May** that it would be banned.

But the **Downing Street** document seen by ITV News states: “The PM has agreed we should not move forward with legislation to ban LGBT conversion therapy.”

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/conversion-therapy5600.png)

The briefing, titled *Conversion Therapy Handling Plan*, admits that there will be a “noisy backlash from LGBT groups and some parliamentarians when we announce we do not intend to proceed.”

It goes on to warn: “The LGBT sector will read this decision as a signal the government is uninterested in LGBT issues” and sets out how the fallout could be minimised.

The ban, law banning conversion therapy was announced in last year’s **Queen’s Speech**, after first being promised by the government in 2018\. Since then, legislation has been delayed by repeated consultations over how a ban might work.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/stop-conversion-therapy-600.jpg)

The document advises announcing the U-turn as part of this year’s Queen’s Speech in early May, suggesting: “This will allow us to position the decision as prioritising our legislative programme, and reduces the risk of looking like we have singled out an LGBT issue.”

**Peter Tatchell**, human rights campaigner and vocal opponent of conversion therapy, said on Twitter: “The Tories ditch their promise to ban conversion therapy, made nearly four years ago & reiterated only yesterday.

“A shameful betrayal! Boris seems to have decided to appease religious homophobes who practice unethical, abusive & harmful conversion therapy.”