FOR years, LGBT groups have called for a ban on "gay conversion therapy" in the UK - the practice of attempting to turn gay people straight.
But what is the controversial pseudo-scientific practice and what have the Government said they will do? Here's what we know.
2
The Government has proposed plans to ban conversion therapy - which aims to turn gay people straight What is gay conversion therapy?
Conversion therapy is any form of treatment or psychotherapy which aims to reduce or stop same-sex attraction.
It is based on an assumption that being lesbian, gay, or bisexual is a mental illness that can be “cured”.
LGBT campaigners have branded these therapies as both unethical and harmful.
In the UK, all major counselling and psychotherapy bodies, as well as the NHS, have concluded that conversion therapy is dangerous and have condemned it.
What has the government said it will do?
In 2018, the then PM, Theresa May, vowed to ban the “abhorrent” practice of trying to turn gay people straight under an action plan to improve the lives of LGBT people.
The ￡4.5million initiative aims to look into the scale of LGBT abuse online, improving mental healthcare, combating bullying in schools, and increasing awareness of the services for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse.
MOST READ IN NEWS
FLOOD HELL More than 500 homes evacuated over 'life-threatening floods' & bridges wash away
STARK REALITY Boy, 10, left in tears after being bullied over Iron Man costume
ARACHNAGEDDON ‘World’s biggest spider’ scurries around house as viewers say it's 'a demon'
SLOTS SLAM Bouncer floors teen and chokes another after he's 'slapped' at amusement arcade
Exclusive
'I'LL MARRY RICH' Paedo teacher who had sex with own pupil, 14, called herself a 'princess'
ROT IN JAIL Distraught mum blasts 'deluded' Satanist killer who knifed sisters in park
MUM'S FURY I only found out in lockdown my son can't spell his name - his school failed him
Exclusive
TRACK COCAINE Train driver smashed through station barriers while 'on cocaine'
Exclusive
'HE CAME AT US' Asda guard tells how he tackled 'knifeman who threatened to kill shoppers'
GREAT FRIGHT Inside abandoned zoo with remains of great white SHARK floating in tank
It sets out 75 steps to help improve the lives of LGBT people including:
Measures to end controversial conversion therapies A new national LGBT health adviser role to help improve access to healthcare services Extra work with cops to improve how hate crime incidents are responded to More support for teachers and pupils at schools and other education bodies A consultation on whether gender laws should be changed to make it easier for transgender people to alter their birth certificates
Mrs May said: “We can be proud that the UK is a world leader in advancing LGBT rights, but the overwhelming response to our survey has shone a light on the many areas where we can improve the lives of LGBT people.
"I was struck by just how many respondents said they cannot be open about their sexual orientation or avoid holding hands with their partner in public for fear of a negative reaction.
“No one should ever have to hide who they are or who they love.
“This LGBT action plan will set out concrete steps to deliver real and lasting change across society, from health and education to tackling discrimination and addressing the burning injustices that LGBT people face.”
In 2020, PM Prime Minister Boris Johnson said plans for a ban would be brought forward
However, in March 2021, three advisers quit the government's LGBT advisory panel amid concerns it was being too slow.
It came as Northern Ireland passed a motion to ban conversion therapy "in all its forms".
It prompted the Government to outline their plans to end the practice in the Queen's Speech 2021.
She stated: "Measures will be brought forward to address racial and ethnic disparities and ban conversion therapy."
The five week consultation aims to ensure the ban does not have "unintended consequences", and that medical professionals, religious leaders, teachers and parents can keep having "open and honest conversations".
The government has also said it will provide additional financial support to victims of the practice.
2
A 2018 survey found that the 'therapy' was still practiced in the UK
How common is conversion therapy?
In 2018, the world’s largest LGBT Government survey ever carried out showed that more than 2,000 people had undergone “therapy” with at least 5,400 being offered it out of more than 108,000 respondents.
It found that five per cent had been offered such "treatment," while a further two per cent had experienced it.
The survey also found that those from an ethnic minority background were twice as likely to be affected, with the figure also higher among transgender respondents.
Have other countries banned conversion therapy?
Many countries across the world have already banned gay conversion therapy, including Brazil, Ecuador and Malta.
Other countries including the USA, Canada, Chile, Mexico and Germany have all stated their intentions to outlaw the practice.
In July 2021, New Zealand announced that they would be introducing legislation that proposes up to five years in prison for LGBT conversion therapy.
NZ Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said in a statement: "Conversion practices have no place in modern New Zealand.
"They are based on the false belief that any person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is broken and in need of fixing," .
Sadiq Khan speaks at Gay Pride and said love happens here in London
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.