UK Equalities Minister speaks at pro-conversion therapy ban event

The UK Equalities Minister told a pro-conversion therapy ban event – via video – that the Government is working on delivering “a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices”.

Anneliese Dodds MP expressed her disappointment at not being able to attend the Oxford University event last month, but said she still wanted to support it and the “great work” being done by sending a video message.

While this isn’t new news, since the Government announced its intentions to bring forward a draft ‘conversion therapy’ Bill back in July, it’s disappointing that the Equalities Minister should publicly support such a one-sided presentation of what is undoubtedly a very controversial issue. Especially since one of the speakers at the public lecture was lead activist Jayne Ozanne, who infamously called for “gentle, non-coercive prayer” to be included in a conversion therapy ban. And she has said that teaching abstinence is abusive and should be illegal.

Ms Dodds’ video was afterwards shared online by Ms Ozanne, who just a few weeks before posted a picture cosying up to the Equalities Minister at Stonewall’s Equality Dinner with the caption: “especially grateful for time to catch up with @AnnelieseDodds MP”.

Ms Ozanne told attendees she expects the Government to publish its draft Bill “very shortly”.

This comes just weeks after a group of church leaders received a disappointing reply from the Equalities Minister, after expressing their concerns about the Government’s planned Bill in an open letter.

Rather than making it clear that ordinary church work would not be criminalised under any conversion therapy law, Ms Dodds’ only recognised the role that church leaders “can have in supporting those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, in a non-directive way”. It’s the same meaningless assurance she gave as Shadow Equalities Minister.

‘Non-directive’ is problematic because it implies, as co-signatory Revd Dr Brand has pointed out, that “church leaders should operate like secular therapists by offering non-directive counselling”. It completely disregards the fact that Christian ministry is by definition directive, since it’s the job of church leaders to urge people to follow Christ – which necessarily involves forsaking sin as a way of life, including in the areas of sexuality and gender.

There are good laws on our statute book dealing with abuse and coercion, and gay and trans people are rightly already protected. But extending the current law will see harmless everyday conversations brought within the scope of the criminal law. It’s why the at least five separate attempts to introduce a conversion therapy law in the last Parliament were said by top lawyers to breach fundamental human rights. And it’s why the Government’s proposals will run into the same obstacles.