Authorities Moves to Criminalise Conversion Therapy for Gender and Sexuality
The UK government has unveiled plans to criminalise so-called “conversion therapies” aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, marking a major policy shift in its long-standing pledge to outlaw the practice.
Under draft legislation announced on Thursday, individuals found carrying out such practices could face criminal penalties, including prison sentences of up to five years.
Authorities described conversion therapies as “abusive and harmful,” aligning with the position of medical bodies and human rights groups that have widely condemned the practice.
The move is expected to apply across England and Wales and is part of a broader effort to strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. It also fulfills a commitment first made by successive UK governments as far back as 2018, though previous attempts to introduce legislation had faced delays and political debate.
Conversion practices typically involve attempts—through psychological, religious or other means—to suppress or alter a person’s identity. Studies and advocacy groups have linked such practices to negative mental health outcomes and long-term psychological harm.
While the proposed law has been welcomed by rights organisations as a significant step forward, it is also expected to spark debate, particularly around issues of religious freedom, parental rights, and the scope of what constitutes coercion.
The legislation will undergo further scrutiny before becoming law, as the government seeks to balance protections for vulnerable individuals with broader civil liberties concerns.
