Government petition picks up speed, London Mayor speaks out for the Trans community, and protests begin on Downing Street.
Following the UK Government’s shameful U-turn decision to exclude Transgender people from a long-promised conversion therapy ban, a petition is rapidly building up pace demanding that Prime Minister Boris Johnson revert back to his original promise of a trans-inclusive ban that protects all LGBTQ+ people.
The Tory Government sparked outrage after confirming their plans to treat trans conversion therapy separately to gay conversion therapy when they legislate the ban “due to their concerns about “unintended consequences”, particularly for under 18s.”
UK LGBT+ Business Adviser Iain Anderson handed in his notice as a response to the ‘damaging’ stance and the Government was forced to cancel its flagship LGBTQ+ conference ‘Safe be Be Me’, which was due to take place this June to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first official London Pride, after it fell into disarray following the withdrawal of at least 120 LGBTQ+ groups, all protesting the decision.
“Trans people are no less worth of respect, care and protection than cis lesbian, gay and bi people. If the UK government cannot stand behind and respect all LGBTQ+ people’s fundamental human rights, it should not be convening an LGBTQ+ rights conference on the global stage,” a statement from the groups.
More than one in 10 trans people have been offered or have undergone conversion therapy, according to the government’s own National LGBT Survey.
“It’s shameful that the UK intends to deliberately exclude trans people from a ban in contrast to the approach taken by many countries, despite trans people being at a greater risk of experiencing the harmful and degrading practices,” the petition reads.
“The government’s own figures show that trans people are nearly twice as likely to be at risk of experiencing the harmful and degrading practices of conversion therapy.”
Once a petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it gets considered for debate in Parliament. Sign the petition to ensure Trans people are fully protected under the conversion therapy ban by clicking here.
Then, once you’ve done that, Email your local MP using this link – it writes everything out for you, so only takes two seconds and doing so can make a HUGE difference.
In just 10 days:
📨30k people have emailed their MPhttps://t.co/U3SeCFBYJP
✍️70k+ people signed this petitionhttps://t.co/iit3V8eeS1
🌈200+ orgs signed a letter in support of a trans inclusive ban
📢See you at the protest tomorrow.
CC @BorisJohnson#BanConversionTherapy pic.twitter.com/bDScGNGZW1
— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) April 9, 2022
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, referenced the Government’s treatment of trans people on 9 April, saying: “I know how heartbreaking it has been for many Londoners about how some politicians and many people in the media talk about the trans community.”
“I’m quite clear that trans rights are human rights, and I’m also quite clear that here in London you’re free to be who you want to be.”
Then adding, “You’re not simply tolerated, you’re respected, you’re celebrated and you’re embraced. That’s going to be the case as long as I’m the mayor.”
On Sunday (10 April) protesters gathered in Parliament Street, London, to protest the revised ban and demand that Trans people be protected equally under the legislation.
Organisers Ban Conversion Therapy said in a Tweet: “There must be no exemptions to ending abhorrent conversion practices. There is no excuse for abuse.”
Hundreds of people gathered to make it clear that WE STAND AS A COMMUNITY. #LGBwiththeT
Today’s the day! Join us at 1pm outside Downing St to call for the UK Govt to #BanConversionTherapy for all LGBTQ+ people.
Bring your friends, family, and voices 📢
Can’t make it today? Email your MP instead! https://t.co/dWJquOxftB pic.twitter.com/QZfeYBbxjH
— BanConversionTherapy (@BanCTorg) April 10, 2022
🏳️⚧️ We stand united as a community, with our trans siblings fighting for protection from conversion therapy for all.
❗️ This conversion therapy ban must include trans people. #TransRightsAreHumanRights #BanConversionTherapy #KeepTransInTheBan pic.twitter.com/gozft1wsoI— LGBTIQA+ Greens (@LGBTIQAGreens) April 10, 2022
Hundreds of people have joined the protest opposite 10 Downing Street. #BanConversionTherapy #pridewiththeT #prideinlondon pic.twitter.com/3x4BO38o38
— Pride in London (@PrideInLondon) April 10, 2022
We are hearing powerful speeches from trans survivors of conversion practices.
We will never turn on our back on those survivors. And we will not allow more victims. We will end this abuse. #BanConversionTherapy #LGBwiththeT #TransRightsAreHumanRights #ProtectTransYouth pic.twitter.com/iCb2A1pBo7— BanConversionTherapy (@BanCTorg) April 10, 2022
Trans Rights are Human Rights. #BanConversionTherapy pic.twitter.com/U4sgKYRRgC
— Mahmoud Elmasry (@Aouds) April 10, 2022
#BanConversionTherapy #LGBWithTheT pic.twitter.com/Qle9E9LwOg
— Brie QC 🇺🇦she/her💙🌈🏳️⚧️ (@BrieQC) April 10, 2022
Ahead of todays show we’re off as a team to Downing Street to show support for our trans and non binary family! #BanConversionTherapy #TransIsBeautiful pic.twitter.com/daorAC8PE3
— Death Drop 🔍 (@deathdropplay) April 10, 2022
Ready for #BanConversionTherapy protest. Anyone else here please so hello. I’m nervous! 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️❤️💙💜 pic.twitter.com/zZRAkRH5fj
— Martyn Dore #banconversationtherapy 🏳️⚧️ (@MartynDore) April 10, 2022