The government has unveiled draft legislation that would ban practices designed to change sexual orientation or gender identity, with criminal penalties for those found guilty of such abuse. Under the proposed law, perpetrators could face imprisonment for up to five years along with unlimited financial penalties. The measure applies to England and Wales and defines criminal conduct as actions aimed at altering someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity through abusive acts that cause serious harm.
Advocates for the legislation have characterized it as a significant development following years of delays and political controversy. The ban was first promised eight years ago but faced multiple setbacks, including a period when one government proposed scrapping it entirely before announcing a scaled-back version covering only sexual orientation. Labour committed to advancing the full measure in its campaign platform, including protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity.
The proposed law includes safeguards intended to permit legitimate healthcare, therapeutic services, open conversation, and free speech. It would also establish a new civil protection order to aid individuals at risk of such practices, modeled after existing protections for forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Government officials argue that current laws addressing domestic violence, coercive control, and communications offences do not adequately address the specific nature of conversion practices.
Opponents have raised concerns about potential impacts on free speech and religious practice, as well as parental discussions on these matters. Healthcare professionals working with young people have expressed interest in assurances that they can perform their duties without litigation concerns. An anti-LGBT abuse charity reported documenting 371 cases involving conversion practices over a three-year period, describing severe impacts on those subjected to such treatment.
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