The Royal College of Psychiatrists responds to the reported government decision to ban so-called conversion therapy for gay or bisexual people in England and Wales - but not for transgender people.
Dr Adrian James, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“Conversion therapy is a damaging, degrading and discriminatory practice that seeks to correct something that does not need fixing - a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.
“The reported decision to only ban conversion therapy for gay and bisexual people but not those who are transgender is discriminatory and very disappointing. Conversion therapy causes severe physical and psychological suffering, violates the human rights of all LGBTQ+ people, and has been called a form of torture.
“We urge Government to reconsider its plans to ban so called conversion therapy only for cisgender people, and we fully support calls for the ban to cover transgender people. Clinicians can still help people fully explore their gender identity where appropriate but it’s time for this unacceptable and harmful practice to end.”
Equality, diversity and inclusion at the College
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
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