Conversion therapy

Exercising caution over Stonewall’s exorcism claims

Nearly one in three people in Britain who identify as LGBTQ+ say they’ve been exorcised, assaulted, prayed over, or...

The five tests that must be passed before any new law banning “conversion practices” 

The government has announced in the King’s Speech that a “draft bill will be brought forward to ban conversion...

Letter to the Prime Minister: five tests for legislation to ban conversion practices

Alongside other organisations, we wrote to Keir Starmer to ask him to commit to five tests that must be...

Calls to ban conversion therapy put children at risk

Proposals to ban conversion therapy or conversion practices are likely to feature among the pledges of political parties as...

Lords debate conversion therapy

On Friday 9th February 2024 Baroness Burt’s Private Member’s Bill proposing a ban on “conversion therapy” was debated in...

The House of Lords debate on conversion therapy

On Friday 9th February 2024 Baroness Burt’s Private Member's Bill proposing a ban on "conversion therapy" was debated in...

Conversion therapy… again

The proposal to legislate to criminalise “conversion therapy” is back again, this time as a private members’ bill introduced...

Conversion therapy and the Cooper report – parliamentary briefing

Conversion therapy: understanding the GALOP survey – parliamentary briefing

Parliamentary briefing: conversion therapy

A detailed briefing on the issues. See also the related content.

No conversion therapy in the King’s Speech

Sex Matters welcomes the news that the government has not committed to bringing forward a bill to ban “conversion...

It’s time to ban modern conversion therapy

The campaign to ban “conversion therapy” focuses on historic abuses, like this one that happened in 1964: “During the...

Policy proposal: Legislation to ban modern conversion therapy

Any law to ban conversion therapy should seek to solve problems that exist today, not symbolically fight the battles...

Gender dysphoria in young people is rising – and so is professional disagreement

More children and adolescents are identifying as transgender and are being offered medical treatment, especially in the US –...

Gay Men’s Network: Banning conversion therapy

Gay men respond to the UK government consultation.

Converting minds or bodies? 

A riposte to the Good Law Project’s published advice on conversion therapy

Thoughtful Therapists

Founded in 2021, a group of psychotherapists and counsellors who campaign to raise awareness of the negative impact of...

Groups defending sex-based rights

Overview of groups opposing sex self-ID in the UK, set up by individuals and collectives concerned by the failure...

What is conversion therapy?

Stella O’Malley of Genspect explains… “Gay conversion therapy” is the term given to attempts to change a person’s sexual...

Sex Matters briefing for conversion therapy debate

On Monday 13th June there will be a Westminster Hall debate on introducing “gender identity” into the planned government...

“Conversion” therapy or just therapy?

On 23rd May 2022 an article appeared in the i news stating that Dr Az Hakeem was under investigation...

Briefing: “Conversion” therapy or just therapy?

There has been a media report that a young patient has complained to the General Medical Council about Dr...

Reading University VC speaks up for academic freedom

On 25 April 2022 Dr Holly Lawford-Smith, of the University of Melbourne, gave a seminar at Reading University’s school...

Through the Looking Glass: Making sense of the memorandum of understanding on conversion therapy

A two-part article by counsellor, supervisor, trainer and researcher Peter Jenkins, exploring the impact of trans activism channelled via...

Scoping survey for government equalities office consultation on conversion therapy

Written by Thoughtful Therapists, a group of psychotherapists and counsellors working in the area of gender and gender dysphoria,...

Has your MP fallen for a simple slogan?

Was your MP one of the ones who posed with a sign about banning conversion therapy? It is worth...

No ban on talk therapy for gender-distressed children in Queen’s Speech

It has been confirmed in the Queen’s Speech that the government intends to pursue a limited ban on “conversion...

What is behind the campaign to ban conversion therapy?

The campaign to ban “conversion therapy” has come out of nowhere, to suddenly dominate the priorities of organisations such...

Why ban talking therapy?

How a campaign to criminalise the most effective treatment for gender-distressed children made it from the margins to the...

Sex Matters’ statement on conversion therapy law

Sex Matter praises decision to abandon fatally flawed “Conversion Therapy Bill”.

The Cass Review’s interim report is out

The report shares initial conclusions that reflect many of the concerns raised by Sex Matters.

The Cass Review – independent review of gender identity services for children and young people: Interim report

Understanding the current landscape and the reasons why change is needed, in order to consider how to improve and develop...