MPs to debate petition relating to conversion therapy

• Watch the session on Parliament TV
• Read the debate transcript (available shortly after the conclusion of the debate)
• Follow the Committee on Twitter and join the discussion using #LGBTConversionTherapyPetition
• Petitions Committee

The debate will be led by Petitions Committee Member Elliot Colburn MP. MPs from all parties can take part, and Cabinet Office Minister Penny Mordaunt MP will respond on behalf of the Government.

Make LGBT conversion therapy illegal in the UK

The petition, which has more than 256,000 signatures, states:

“I would like the Government to: make running conversion therapy in the UK a criminal offence, forcing people to attend said conversion therapies a criminal offence, sending people abroad in order to try to convert them a criminal offence and protect individuals from conversion therapy.”

“Despite all major counselling and psychotherapy bodies in the UK, including the NHS, condemning LGBT conversion therapy, it is still legal and LGBT individuals in the UK are still exposed to this psychological and emotional abuse to this day. The very thought of this sickens me, and I would like to see it stopped one day.”

In response to the petition, the Government said:

“The Government is committed to ensuring all citizens feel safe and protected from harm. We will work to deepen our understanding and consider all options for ending the practice of conversion therapy.”

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one, or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Further information

• Find out more about the role of the Petitions Committee
• Find out more about select committees

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