Thread by @MattDrapps

RIGHT.

Let's talk about the Scottish Expert Advisory Groupon Ending Conversion Practices Report and Recommendations

I have only just started it and, honestly, it's incredible.

#ConversionTherapy

I cried immediately.

After just a quick scan, it's clear this is a report which has LISTENED and HEARD and RESPECTED.

#LGBT #LGBTQ

The very fact it is aligned with a separate report called:

LGBT+ POC and Minority Ethnic Faith Experiences of Conversion Practices

shows they have taken a broad approach, a listening approach, a respectful and thoughtful approach.

It's a long document, with two additional pieces along with an extensive contents, and a lot of Recommendations, but I will try end go through it all in the next couple of days.

First of all you might note that #ConversionTherapy has been rightly replaced with the term: Conversion Practices.

I have to say I agree with this fully. CT is not Therapy, but also does not always take the form of "talking therapy" and the term Practices is much more clear.

You can pick up the full report here:

gov.scot/publications/e…

Okay, let's get into it.

I know a few people who were involved, and it's been incredible to hear about the process, which centered survivors as experts of their own experience, along with other experts, faith organisations, politicians, etc, being brought into conversation throughout.

Already I've seen nervous churches saying these recommendations will take away their right to religion, but, um, they always said they don't DO Conversion Therapy sooo 🤷🏻

But really, this is why it's good to note (multi)faith organisations were consulted throughout.

32 guiding principles have been drawn out, "measures under criminal law, and measures outside criminal law, to end conversion practices." These are supported by specific recommendations, included in the Annex.

It's important to do education, etc, along with "criminal" change.

As an abolitionist/having studied some of the ways the police complex works against minorities, the idea of a fully CRIMINAL basis for ending Conversion Practices has always been uncomfortable. Which is why I'm glad this is a wider, broader approach.

Knowing the ways Conversion Practices have impacted mental health and led to some people's dependence on/connection to drugs, alcohol, sex work, homelessness, incarceration, mental health issues, etc, the concept of just using Criminalisation, policing, etc, is uncomfortable.

Which is why I'm glad to know it's a wider approach. I'll talk more when we get to the recommendations.

"The Group believes that conversion practices infringe upon the human rights of individuals, in particular the victims' freedom from discrimination and freedom from non-consensual medical treatment." 😭

"Conversion practices can also violate the prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and are capable of violating children's rights to be free from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, or abuse."

These honest descriptions... 😭😭😭

"...where expression creates the potential of significant harm to others, a prohibition of a practice is justified and necessary as a proportionate way of protecting the interests of the victims..."

YESSS. Thought through, concluded.

No LGB without the T.

We stand together. We ARE one. What affects those of us who are lesbian, bisexual, gay, affects thought who are gender queer, trans, intersex. People enforcing boundaries and gender borders affects us ALL.

People, reporters, etc, always ask: Did you CHOOSE to do this? (go through anti-gay exorcism at St Thomas Philadelphia in Sheffield)

And what am I supposed to say? 😭

📢 You CANNOT consent to torture.📢

Uuugch yes. The kind of groups who "provide" CP aaaaaalways give the impression they are trying to do a good thing, not to intentionally cause harm. So what? You are causing harm. 🚮

I love this.

This paragraph seems to make it clear that interpersonal conversations and early conversions interactions with actual health professionals etc are not the key areas being scrutinised, yet those are the areas people exaggerate into wanting the whole thing derailed.

Strong statement. 💪

You wanna read this and weep folks. 💅

Ahhhhh omg YES THIS. Because who doesn't know a senior pastor who had directed out allowed abusive practices to occur in their organisations without getting their own hands covered in blood? We see you. 👀 *cough* Dr [redacted] *cough* The Overlord *cough* C of E *cough* Baptists

We know about people being sent to America, we know about people being taken to England, this is important. IMPORTANT.

I don't know enough about crime and sentencing to comment, but I know a lot of thought and process went into these recommendations and they are CLEAR.

HELLO YES HELLO!!!!!!!! REMOVAL OF CHARITY STATUS HELL YEAH.

YESSS to setting up a Commission with responsibility for education locally and internationally on this 😭

Yes to building holistic, healthy and trauma informed REBUILDING for those who have been injured through CP.

"The Group recommends that any person, including victims and potential victims, are able to report conversion practices and that an investigation can then follow, removing the onus from survivors on to a public body."

PLEASE 🙏 YES 🙏 WE HAVE CARRIED TOO MUCH. 🙏 THANK YOU.

I know I keep saying it but: YES, YES, ABSOLUTELY, YES

"Through research conducted by the Group, it is clear there are feelings of apprehension around reporting of conversion practices in ethnic minority communities who have experienced historical prejudice and discrimination within the criminal justice system."

IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU.

Okay darlings, I have to sleep, but just this introduction has filled me with HOPE and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in ways nothing else has done. To hear with clarity the impact, the danger, the abusive torture these practices are and to think of @YorksBaptists and @churchofengland ignoring

- the evidence of their existence in their Diocese and under the very eyes and responsibility of their Regional Minister.

Just as one example. My blood boils.

But this, this, is something tangible and real and evidence based and copy-able.

Let's go.