MORE THAN 100 organisations have pulled out of the Government’s flagship ‘Safe To Be Me’ conference schedule for June – forcing it to be cancelled.
The UK government failed to ban conversion therapy practices for trans people leading more than 100 organisations including charity groups to back out from participating in the conference.
Many LGBT_+ organisations which had signed up for the conference expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s move not to ban conversion therapy for those with gender identity issues.
The government is moving ahead with legislation outlawing conversion therapy for gay people but has stepped away from making such therapy illegal for those who may be pushed or encouraged to seek ‘help’ for gender identity issues.
Iain Anderson, the government’s first LGBT+ champion and adviser resigned from his position followed by this exclusion of trans people from the ban. He said he was “shocked” by this decision of the government. It is “trying to drive a wedge” between gay, bisexual, and trans people.
The government had promised to outlaw the therapy practices for all but announced last week any ban would only apply to attempts to alter a person’s sexuality, not attempts to try to change people’s gender identity.
Numerous charity groups and organisations signed an open letter written by Stonewall (the leading charity for LGBTQ+ in the UK) to Prime Minister Boris Johnson demanding the ban on trans people or else the groups will not support the event taking place. Stonewall tweeted this morning “It is sad that the UK Government does not feel in a position to run the UK’s first global LGBT+ conference. #BanConversionTherapy.”
Stonewall also said, “As we approach the 50th anniversary of the first Pride event in the UK, it is vital that the Prime Minister begin building trust back and set a clear direction for Ministers to consistently support all LGBTQ+ people. That must start with a commitment to legislating for a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy. Trans people are no less worthy of respect, compassion, and protection than cis lesbian, gay & bi people and the Gov cannot claim to be support LGBTQ+ people’s rights while abandoning trans people.”
Conservative MP Dehenna Davison expressed her disappointment in cancelling the LGBTQ+ conference, “We had such a huge opportunity to prove the UK (and the Conservative Party) is a defender of freedom.” She posted on Twitter. “As a Conservative member of the LGBT+ community, it is so wrong it has come to this.”
Some of the members of the trans community are considering leaving the country. The Welsh Government is seeking legal advice to see what action can be taken to ban trans conversion therapy.
‘Safe To Be Me’ Conference was planned to conduct to reassure the rights and experiences of the LGBT+ community globally.
Subscribe for our weekly news letter here!
You can unsubscribe us at any time
