Adam backs petition to make conversion therapy illegal
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VIEWS on a petition calling for the end of the practice of conversion therapy are being sought by the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.
The petition, which has attracted more than 5500 signatures, calls for conversion therapy to be criminalised in Scotland and urges the Scottish Government to take measures to ban the practice.
Conversion therapy is a term used to describe any methods which seek to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The committee has launched a call for views to seek responses asking for respondents' views, what action they would like the Scottish Government to take and suggestions as to how the committee should take forward the petition.
Committee member and Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Karen Adam said: “Conversion therapy is an abhorrent practice which has had huge implications on LGBTQ+ people living in Scotland.
“I am happy to support this petition which is calling for conversion therapy to be made illegal in our inclusive country.
“The Scottish Parliament's Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee are seeking the views of members of the public on whether this is the best way forward and if the Scottish Government should take steps to end the practice, within the powers available to us.
“The committee is also looking for suggestions on the next steps as we consider this petition. We are particularly interested to find out what people and organisations you feel we should be talking with about ending conversion therapy.”
The call for views closes on August 13 and you can share your views at
https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrc/petition-end-conversion-therapy-views
To read the petition, PE1817: End Conversion Therapy, in full go to https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE1817
The petition was lodged in August 2020 calls on the Scottish Parliament “to urge the Scottish Government to ban the provision or promotion of LGBT+ conversion therapy in Scotland”.
