Transgender conversion therapy debated by MPs

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• Petitions Committee

The purpose of the session

Elliot Colburn MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. Mike Freer MP, Minister for Equalities at the Cabinet Office, will respond for the Government.

Ensure Trans people are fully protected under any conversion therapy ban The petition, which has more than 145,000 signatures, states:

“Ensure any ban fully includes trans people and all forms of conversion therapy. It's shameful that the UK intends to deliberately exclude trans people from a ban in contrast to the approach taken by many countries, despite trans people being at a greater risk of experiencing the harmful & degrading practices.

The government's own figures show that trans people are nearly twice as likely to be at risk of experiencing the harmful & degrading practices of conversion therapy. A ban needs to ensure all forms of conversion therapy are banned.”

In response to the petition, provided on 12 May 2022, the Government said:

“We will introduce a ban protecting everyone from attempts to change their sexual orientation. Recognising the complexity of issues we will consider the issue of transgender conversion therapy further.”

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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