THE Scottish Greens have renewed their calls for the Scottish Government to deliver on its commitment to end conversion therapies before next year’s LGBT+ History Month.
Conversion therapy aims to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The practice is currently legal in Scotland, but a ban has been backed by Holyrood’s Equalities Committee and the Scottish Government has committed to ending the practice. It is currently considering the findings of a consultation on the issue.
Scottish Greens spokesperson for Equalities, Maggie Chapman MSP, said: “Nobody should be told that they are not good enough or that who they are is somehow wrong.
“Conversion practices are cruel and abusive and have no place in a modern or progressive Scotland.”
She continued: “Far too many people have been made to suffer for far too long. We don’t have time to waste. Survivors of conversion practices should not be made to wait for another parliament to act when we have already promised action in Scotland and have the powers to deliver it. We can ban conversion practices in Scotland now.
“It is time for the Scottish Government to lay out a timeline and a plan and to stand up for LGBTQIA+ people who are feeling under fire at the moment. It must go beyond words and bring in protections in law.”
Chapman added: “If the Scottish Government is committed to building a better, safer and more equal Scotland then they must do the right thing and work with us to ensure that we end conversion practices for good.”
Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart recently raised her support for the campaign, saying in a statement: “We are committed to ending conversion practices in Scotland and we fully support the Equality Network’s awareness-raising campaign.
“No-one should be subjected to harm because of who they are or who they love.”
