The “gold standard” conversion therapy ban?
The reality of the law in Victoria, Australia
Those calling for a broad conversion therapy law have consistently called for governments across the UK to follow the example of Victoria, Australia.
The UK must not criminalise parents for protecting their gender-confused child from taking puberty blockers, a Christian MP has warned.
The MP for Don Valley, Nick Fletcher, said that introducing another ‘conversion therapy’ law would “make it harder for people to combat this harmful idea” of ‘gender identity’.
In the Australian state of Victoria, “not affirming someone’s gender identity” and parents refusing “to support their child’s request for medical treatment that will prevent physical changes from puberty” are now deemed illegal practices under conversion therapy legislation.
‘Harmful ideology’
Mr Fletcher said: “Activists here want the UK to follow Victoria, describing their ban as ‘the gold standard’. Do we really want parents prosecuted for not letting their children go on puberty blockers?
It’s time for the silent majority to speak up.
“Young people who get caught up in these ideas need our protection – but some people seem to want to narrow the opportunities for responsible adults to talk openly and honestly to children. Whatever their intention, they are helping to set vulnerable children on a pathway of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and life-changing surgeries.
“These procedures have serious risks and complications – including potential sterility. Children can’t legally get a tattoo or drink alcohol because society recognises that they are too young.”
The MP added: “My only hope is that the damage can be minimised until the world finally wakes up to this harmful ideology. It’s time for the silent majority to speak up.”
Unlimited fines
Last week, Lib Dem Peer Baroness Burt of Solihull introduced a Private Member’s Bill on banning so-called conversion therapy across the UK.
The law already protects LGBT people from coercion and abuse, but the proposals seek to impose unlimited fines on those deemed to offer “any practice” that assumes “any sexual orientation or gender identity is inherently preferable to another” and intends to “change” or “suppress” either.
Private Members’ Bills rarely become law, but it could be used to influence the Government’s own plans for a draft Bill.
The House of Lords is expected to debate the proposals in the new year.
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