The government has introduced draft legislation that would prohibit conversion practices aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity. Under the proposed law, individuals found guilty of such abuse could face up to five years in prison and unlimited fines.
The legislation defines prohibited conduct as actions intended to alter someone’s sexual orientation or transgender identity through abusive acts that cause serious harm. The government stated that existing laws covering domestic violence, coercive control, and communications offences do not adequately address the specific nature of conversion practices. The bill would also establish a civil protection order mechanism to support individuals at risk of such abuse, modeled after existing protections for victims of forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
Campaigners characterized the proposal as a significant development, with the CEO of Stonewall describing it as a “historic and long overdue step forward.” A charity documenting such cases reported identifying 371 incidents between 2022 and 2025. The government included provisions intended to protect legitimate healthcare, therapy, and free speech.
The legislative effort follows eight years of political discussion since initial commitments were made. Previous iterations faced controversy over scope and implementation, including disputes regarding whether gender identity should be included alongside sexual orientation. Opposition voices have raised concerns about potential restrictions on parental involvement in such discussions and religious exercise.
The government framed the legislation as necessary to address legal gaps and protect vulnerable populations from harmful practices. The minister for equalities stated that “legal loopholes” have left LGBT+ individuals exposed to such conduct, prompting the need for dedicated legislation.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI