In 2021 the UK Government proposed a controversial ban on so-called “conversion therapy” recommended by some campaigners and lobbyists for LGBT beliefs.[1] The term was coined to suggest that conversations, therapy and spiritual guidance on the topic of unwanted sexual desires were in fact a form of coercion in changing people’s political identities, seeking to make it a criminal offence, even for those who consent and wish to reduce unwanted desires.
In effect, the ban as it was proposed, would criminalise many who would simply provide help to those asking for it, leading to uproar from mental health practitioners to religious communities.
In line with what a number of other communities have done, a number of Muslim scholars, Imams, mosque committees and organisation heads have put together the following joint letter addressed to the UK Government.[2]
Click here to sign
This is part of a Government consultation whose deadline has been extended to 4th February 2022.[3]
The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP
Foreign Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities
Government Equalities Office
16-20 Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BT
CC: Mike Freer MP, Kemi Badenoch MP
We welcome the Government’s consultation extension and the clarification that any ban on coercive “conversion therapy” will protect free speech and religious freedom. We’re grateful that the following are not within the scope of legislation:
- • Supportive conversations that do not pressure individuals down one path
- • Parental rights to raise their children with the values of their faith
- • Expressing the teachings of faith or private prayer
- • Clinical practitioners who work within existing professional and regulatory frameworks
In light of this much needed clarification, conversion practices should be defined as where:
“A practitioner coerces an individual to change or supress their sexual/gender identity, without the individual’s consent, causing harm.”
An example here would be to force a LGBTQ identity on an individual who doesn’t uphold such an identity or vice versa.
We believe any future legislative plans must uphold the right of individuals who:
- • Don’t identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual and have unwanted same sex attractions, to explore their potential for opposite sex attractions;
- • Don’t identify as transgender but have confusions about gender, to explore their potential for gender congruence.
Further, we wish to confirm that organisations that support these vulnerable individuals:
- • Would not fall within the scope of “talking conversion therapy”;
- • Would still be able to support those under 18;
- • Would still be able to advertise or promote their services;
- • Would still be able to register as a charities.
We are concerned about the lack of inclusion of people of faith in this legislation. We ask that the Government Equalities Office moves ahead in a way that is inclusive of all positions and respects different equalities.
Kind Regards,
Click here to sign
Source: Islam21c
Notes:
[1] These beliefs—from specific Anglo-American histories—include, for example, that human sub-species exist across several discrete, rigid, deterministic, and permanent categories, such as “heterosexual”, “homosexual”, “lesbian” and so on.
[2] https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSett-aDhMMwddu8WMt5miAyINxeN5S_ODyZ_M_ebvnmM5NjOA/viewform
[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/banning-conversion-therapy
