The new head of Stonewall has pledged to fight for a ban on conversion practices that includes “every member of the lesbian, gay, bi and trans community”, as he said that the progress of Labour’s bill may be exploited by those pursuing global attacks on LGBTQ+ rights.
With the UK government expected to publish draft legislation this spring, Simon Blake said: “It’s really important that a conversion practices bill covers all practices designed to try to change or correct somebody’s sexual or gender identity.”
Interviewed at length for the first time since he took the post, Blake said the bill represented a reset between government, Stonewall and the wider LGBTQ+ sector, after Labour committed in its manifesto to a “full trans-inclusive ban” on conversion practices. This follows an increasingly toxic engagement with the previous Tory administration, in which Liz Truss, while equalities minister, urged all government departments to quit the charity’s workplace inclusion programme and plans for a similar ban fell apart amid moves to exclude trans people and concerns about the introduction of a loophole of “informed consent”.
Stonewall would have to “really work” around the parliamentary process to ensure initial commitments were not lost, said Blake, who expects opponents will play down the prevalence of conversion practices.
The charity is releasing new research on Friday that finds that 17% of LGBTQ+ Britons have experienced physical assault, 10% have experienced “exorcism” practices and 12% experienced “corrective rape” or sexual assault, all in an attempt to change their sexuality or gender identity.
While some of these are already illegal, campaigners hope that drawing them together under a blanket ban on conversion practices would strengthen recourse for victims as well as acting as a deterrent.
Critics of an inclusive ban suggest it could prevent parents having exploratory conversations with their gender-questioning children, while others – including Hilary Cass, the doctor who reviewed gender identity services for under-18s – have said it may impact on medical professionals’ capacity to advocate for a more cautious approach to transition.
But Blake said evidence from other countries that had already legislated for a ban did not support these anxieties.
“Of course parents will ask their children exploratory questions. What we are talking about here is conversion practices, which are saying ‘you are bad, you are wrong, you need to change’.
“I think we have to be really, really clear about the distinction between healthcare for young people – or anyone – and conversion practices and not conflate those issues.”
Blake suggested the bill might become a focus for opponents of progressive reform more widely. “This is a flagship policy at a time when we know that LGBT rights are being attacked on a global basis, with Trump, with propaganda legislation [in Europe], and those who oppose LGBT rights will use the opportunity to spread misinformation and perpetuate divisive arguments.”
Regardless of pushback, Blake insisted the ban was “only one piece of the puzzle”.
“We need to see the UK take its place back at the top of the global leaderboard for LGBTQ+ rights and a government committed to this.”
Echoing the comments of the screenwriter Russell T Davies, who said recently it felt more dangerous to be a gay man in the UK since Trump’s election, Blake agreed: “People are scared. It’s easy to think it’s happening in the US, in Italy, Spain, Georgia but we’re also hearing organisations and people in the UK who are saying it feels different, it feels less welcoming.”
Blake takes over as CEO after a turbulent period in Stonewall’s history, during which it attracted heavy censure for its stance on trans rights which critics both inside and outside the LGBT community believed was trying to shut down debate. One of its 14 co-founders, Matthew Parris, accused it of being “cornered into an extremist stance”.
“It’s absolutely right that Stonewall became trans inclusive in 2015,” said Blake, drawing a distinction between the “public narrative” and “practical reality” that followed.
“Whilst the world has become more polarised and divisive and there was a lot of talking about Stonewall and trans issues, we were carrying on doing work for all members of the LGBT community.”
He added that there was merit in Stonewall amplifying trans-led organisations and working in partnership rather than “doing everything”.
Blake, who acknowledged there has been “huge division” over the issue, said that Stonewall had always navigated “incredibly well” through different views, with equal marriage as a recent example.
But some critics of Stonewall have pinpointed what they felt was the organisation’s own unwillingness to engage in respectful exchanges, be that with its earlier “no debate” policy on trans rights or previous boss Nancy Kelley comparing gender critical beliefs to antisemitism.
Blake said: “I have heard that view, but looking ahead I’m clear we have only made progress and will only make progress through endless conversations with people who may share none or some of the same views.
“The problem with the current conversation about some elements of the LGBTQ+ rights agenda is it is about winning or losing, and that isn’t helpful,” he said.
“I want conversations where we are willing to listen to each other, seek to understand each other’s views and find ways for everyone to live side by side with dignity and respect.”
