In a move that has dismayed LGBTQ+ activists and advocates, the UK government’s latest King’s Speech has made no mention of the long-awaited ban on ‘conversion therapy,’ leaving the community in a state of uncertainty. This silence comes five years after the initial promise to outlaw these harmful practices.
The annual King’s Speech, held on November 7, serves as a platform for the government to outline its legislative agenda for the upcoming year. However, the absence of any reference to ‘conversion therapy’ has triggered outrage and frustration within the LGBTQ+ community.
Jayne Ozanne, chair of the Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition, expressed her disappointment, saying, “To break your flagship promise to a community that has seen a significant rise in hate crime is a total moral failure.” She criticized the government for prioritizing appeasement of ‘conversion therapy’ proponents over the well-being of the LGBTQ+ population.
While the promise of a ‘conversion therapy’ ban was included in the Queen’s Speech in 2022, the government’s silence in the King’s Speech this year signifies a significant backtrack on its commitment. The disappointment within the LGBTQ+ community is palpable, with many feeling let down by the government’s lack of action.
Despite calls from various MPs and LGBTQ+ advocates to prioritize and expedite the ban, the government’s inaction raises doubts about when, or if, this promise will ever be fulfilled. The LGBTQ+ community remains vulnerable to these harmful practices, with no legislative protection in sight.