‘Offer double mastectomies aged 15’ – what a conversion therapy ban really means

Last month, infamous transgender ‘health’ organisation WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) hit the headlines after convincing the Scottish Government to claim ‘eunuch’ should be a gender – in a mistakenly released report.

As if that wasn’t ridiculous enough, the group is expected to demand, in upcoming guidance, that double mastectomies should be offered to girls aged just 15, and cross-sex hormones to anyone aged 14. The story broke after the controversial group provided a draft of its upcoming guidance to Associated Press.

These are permanent and life-changing medical interventions. Lifelong medicalisation is the norm for any who undergo them. There is no going back.

Thankfully these treatments aren’t available in the UK at quite such a young age. But children are being drawn into the harmful ideologies from ever-younger ages, as demonstrated by CBBC’s airing of First Day about a transgender pupil starting a new school. Many are pushing for ‘affirming’ treatment of young children, despite the increasing number of ‘detransitioners’ who later come to regret their supposed change of gender.

Many have recognised the flaws of this toxic worldview. But proposed ‘conversion therapy’ bans pose a serious risk. Politicians in each part of the UK say they will bring in as comprehensive a law as possible. These bans are promoted on the basis of preventing abuse against LGBT people. But such abuse is already illegal. Campaigners instead want the law to go much further, limiting people’s ability to question and discourage people from falling into the traps of trans ideology. Sadly, many politicians are buying into this repressive mind-set.

Activists say people will be free to hold contrary beliefs. But this is where their liberality ends. Holding beliefs is not the same as sharing beliefs. Even the most loving and caring advice – even perfectly common sense advice – would be deemed harmful abuse, simply because it doesn’t align with activists’ demands.

Will parents be free to discourage children from pursuing ‘transition’ or the dangerous medical treatments WPATH supports? Activists hope not. And they are keen our lawmakers copy the law in Victoria, Australia, which apparently bans just that.

Christian parents are particularly at risk. Traditional biblical teaching is clear that God made us as male and female in his image. Changing sex is not an option. Christians have long been pointing out the multiple failings of transgender thinking. But if these activists get their way, Christian parents will face investigation for failing to support their children in receiving ‘affirmative’ treatment.

Despite the Westminster Government’s plans to exclude gender identity from its upcoming ban, such a Bill risks swift amendment. But even if the Government gets its way, any ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for sexual orientation poses a risk. Those who discourage sexual activity outside marriage could be accused of ‘suppressing’ someone’s sexuality. Many LGBT activists are calling for Christians to be punished for promoting celibacy for those who are unmarried.

But there is a more fundamental problem for Christians: the Gospel itself is at risk. How can we teach about forgiveness of sins if we cannot say what activity falls short of God’s standards? And that is precisely the effect some want the new law to have.