Greens demand ministers act now to end ‘cruel and abusive’ conversion therapy

Holyrood ministers are being urged to act now to tackle “cruel and abusive” conversion therapy, rather than waiting for Westminster to legislate for a ban.

Scottish Government ministers previously committed to banning the practice – which aims to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation – as part of the powersharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens.

But with the Bute House Agreement having ended, Green equalities spokeswoman Maggie Chapman accused the Government of having “outsourced the work to a UK Labour Government”.

A Scottish Government spokesperson confirmed Holyrood ministers will bring forward legislation “should a UK‑wide approach not be achievable”.

It is time for the Scottish Government to lay out a timeline and a plan and to stand up for LGBTQIA+ people who are feeling under fire at the moment

But speaking at the end of LGBT+ History month, Ms Chapman urged the Scottish Government to act within the next 12 months.

She said: “Nobody should be told that they are not good enough or that who they are is somehow wrong.

“Conversion practices are cruel and abusive and have no place in a modern or progressive Scotland.

“The SNP committed to a ban but they have outsourced the work to a UK Labour Government that has sat on its hands and shown that it cannot be trusted when it comes to equality.

“Far too many people have been made to suffer for far too long. We don’t have time to waste.

“Survivors of conversion practices should not be made to wait for another Parliament to act when we have already promised action in Scotland and have the powers to deliver it. We can ban conversion practices in Scotland now.

“It is time for the Scottish Government to lay out a timeline and a plan and to stand up for LGBTQIA+ people who are feeling under fire at the moment.

“It must go beyond words and bring in protections in law.

“If the Scottish Government is committed to building a better, safer and more equal Scotland, then they must do the right thing and work with us to ensure that we end conversion practices for good.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to ending conversion practices in Scotland and working towards complementary approaches across the UK.

“We will prepare legislation for introduction to the Scottish Parliament should a UK‑wide approach not be achievable.”