Critics of the plans fear they could see parents 'criminalised' (Image: Getty)
Labour’s conversion therapy ban plans risk “criminalising” parents opposed to their children transitioning, gender-critical activists have warned.
A letter, first reported by The Sunday Times, has been sent to Sir Keir Starmer by cross-party group of MPs and peers, psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors and consultants saying they have “grave concerns” over the proposed move.
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The 140 signatories, which include former Tavistock Centre governor Dr David Bell and senior Labour MP Graham Stringer, warn legislation of this kind also puts therapists at risk of facing legal repercussions if they don't “unconditionally affirm” a child’s desire for transition.
Conversion therapy is used to try and change someone's gender identity or sexual orientation, according to the British Psychological Society (BPS).
In practical terms, it means attempts to stop or suppress someone from being homosexual, or from identifying as a different gender to their sex at birth.
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Equalities minister Annelise Dodds (Image: Getty)
Approaches include talking therapies and prayer, but physical violence, food deprivation and even exorcism are among other extreme forms it can take, BBC News reports.
NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, as well as other bodies including the BPS, have branded conversion therapy "unethical and potentially harmful".
A ban on the practice was proposed by the previous Conservative government, but it didn't go ahead with ministers saying legislation surrounding it "is a very complex issue, with existing criminal law already offering robust protections", as per MailOnline.
But the Labour government is now planning to resurrect the law with new cross-departmental body the Office for Equality and Opportunity saying that “delivering a full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices” is a key priority.
In the King's Speech in July, Labour proposed the Conversion Practices Bill, outlawing practices aimed at changing or suppressing gender identity or sexual orientation in England and Wales, in a move backed by various campaigners.
The equalities minister Annelise Dodds will oversee the reforms. But the group of signatories of the letter, organised by activist James Esses, fear that if the ban comes into effect, a “slippery slope towards criminalising parents awaits us”, warning that it could have “serious and harmful unintended consequences”.
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Professionals, they claim, have said they will "stop working with children with gender dysphoria altogether, for fear of being criminalised".
The authors also claimed medical interventions known as “gender-affirming transition” have been shown to be a “major medical scandal”.
Earlier this year paediatric consultant Dr Hilary Cass published a report into the treatment of transgender children and recommended that those under 18 should not be rushed into treatment which they may one day regret.
The report said those under-25 who think they may be trans should be given “unhurried” care said the prescribing of powerful hormone drugs to under-18s should end. It also called for early help for primary school aged children who want to socially transition to be axed, as per The Telegraph.
“Whistleblowers in this field have been vindicated by recent events, such as the final report of the independent Cass Review, the NHS decision to halt the prescription of puberty blockers, the closure of the GIDS gender clinic at the Tavistock, and the revelations contained within the WPATH files, amongst other things," the letter read.
“Many confused and vulnerable children who medically transitioned through puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones have suffered irreversible developmental issues, physiological damage (such as loss of bone density, infertility and sexual dysfunction) and significant social and relational harms. Those most at risk are children who do not conform to traditional sex stereotypes.”
A UK Government spokesman told The Telegraph: “We will bring forward a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices. We are clear that any ban must not cover legitimate psychological support, treatment, or non-directive counselling.
“It must also respect the important role that teachers, religious leaders, parents and carers can have in supporting those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.”