Majority of respondents oppose Scot Govt ‘conversion practices’ ban

Last Tuesday, the Scottish Government published the results of the public consultation on its proposed conversion practices law — a year and a half after the consultation closed.

The results revealed that the majority of people are opposed. Of the large number of responses, 52% opposed a new law covering “acts or courses of behaviour intended to ‘suppress’ another person’s sexual orientation or gender identity”. 46% were in support, with two per cent unsure. This balance of opinion was repeated across a number of the questions.

Many respondents highlighted the threat to religious freedom. For example, some expressed concern that the proposals risk “criminalising religious leaders whose role is to guide others in line with their beliefs”, arguing that exemptions for ‘non-directive’ guidance fail to recognise that pastoral support often involves providing direction.

Similar concern was expressed regarding parents. Respondents warned “that legislation could encroach on the rights of parents and carers and that people could be criminalised for acting in what they believe to be the best interest of their child(ren)”.

Despite this, the Scottish Government has doubled down on its commitment to legislate. Responding to the consultation results, Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart reiterated the SNP’s intention to introduce a ‘conversion practices’ Bill to Holyrood if it wins next May’s election — “should a UK-wide approach not be achievable” in the interim.

The Westminster Government has promised to publish a draft ‘conversion practices’ Bill for England and Wales soon, and is also in discussion with Holyrood officials.

It seems the Scottish Government has learned nothing from the Gender Recognition Reform debacle, when its decision to ignore concerns ultimately led to the Bill being blocked by Westminster.

Widespread opposition

When the Scottish Government published its 86-page consultation paper back in January 2024, there was a fierce backlash from both the public and the media. Major newspapers ran banner frontpage headlines like “Parents who refuse gender change face seven years in jail in Scotland” and, according to The Sun, there was even pushback from some SNP MSPs.

This is because, under the proposals, parents could have faced seven years in prison for refusing to consent to their child gender transitioning. Church leaders could also have faced criminalisation for praying with a member of their congregation about biblical sexual ethics.

At the time, The Christian Institute took legal advice from one of Scotland’s leading KCs Aidan O’Neill. He confirmed that Scotland already has comprehensive laws against abusive practices, and that the proposals “would have the undoubted effect of criminalising much mainstream pastoral work of churches, mosques and synagogues and temples”. Similarly, the Law Society of Scotland stated in its consultation response “that praying with anyone about their sexual ethics or sexual behaviour, or offering counselling on such issues, could fall foul” of the proposed legislation.

‘Huge concern’

Let Us Pray spokesman Simon Calvert said: “There’s clearly huge concern among Christians over the impact this law could have on the ordinary work of churches, and on parents engaging in open conversations about sex and sexuality with their teenagers.

“Yet the Scottish Government seems to be ignoring these concerns. They are asking Westminster to legislate, when they know their own draft Bill last year was deeply unpopular and got torn to shreds by lawyers. I’m not sure why they think that Westminster is likely to do any better.”