Thread by @MattDrapps

I'm back to continue talking about #conversiontherapy and the Scottish Advisory panel's recommendations.

Of you missed the rest, part 1 is here:

Part 2 is here.

I've had an amazing and restful holiday in between parts! But I'm back.

Been a hell of a week in politics, hasn't it? I've laughed, I've feared, I've worried, I've laughed some more.

But at the end of the day, it does mean the #conversiontherapy ban is back up in the air for the UK, while Scotland (thankfully) have the stability to carry on.

Truth is, in having a horrendous day, being back from hols and facing the real world again is really tough. I'm looking at my own case, my own investigation into Conversion Therapy at Network Church Sheffield and the EFFORT being put into stopping it by the leadership and

I'm tired. But, that's when you find yourself ye most supported and the most ready to push forward, isn't it.

Luckily, this document I'm reviewing is SO GOOD I just know it will refresh me

Page 43, recommendations. Here are the juicy, Get It Done, Put it in Place recs.

I'll never get over the language which describes Conversion Practices as Torture while the Church of England call it 'private prayer' and the Yorkshire Baptist Association turn a blind eye (well, actually don't turn away, just openly approve of it happening in their churches)

If I openly supported torture of a whole people group, I'd be embarrassed 😳 but not the Yorkshire Baptist Association. But I digress....

Helpful distinction around 'competing rights' this is going to be a useful document to reference when people start sputtering about the right to torture, again.

Whilst I hold concerns around the unequal APPLICATION of criminal law on minorities, making the practice illegal sends a strong message and creates a form foundation from which to build the education around it.

Get those fuckers from the top down. Those who refuse to take responsibility for torturing LGBTQI+ people.

TW. Death

When I think about my friend who lost his life after being recommended to undertake Conversion Therapy at St Thomas Philadelphia under the knowledge of MANY, MANY leaders along the route to conversion therapy 'private prayer', my blood chills on my veins.

I dunt care who did the actual torture work - they all knew what they were doing. I have their names.

This.

I went to a police officer once, at a Pride event in Sheffield, and tried to tell him and expose what was going on at St Thomas Philadelphia but he didn't have the language to understand what I was saying. This is an educational project as much as anything.

You 👏 cannot 👏 consent 👏 to torture

Organisations who offer Conversion Practices SHOULD BE AWARE OF ITS LIKELY CONSEQUENCES cos they have been told.

Churches, and yes, my experiences and approach is all about churches because that's my expert area, churches PREY on the vulnerable, those in a situation of exceptional need, those going through trauma or change, and young people

What about a Medical Doctor who is covering up the abuse?

"make sure that...organisations engaging in any of the Criminalised Acts do not enjoy preferential tax status or benefit from public subsidies."

I'm excited to see the work a Commission could accomplish.

Research, education and training and the funding to do so are so important!

Trauma informed and Victim focused, yes please.

Further detail on the Education element, both for the public and targeting to groups where LGBTQI+ people may be in higher danger.

Can't move forward without looking to the past too.

Providing SUPPORT is at the heart of the Commission.

One role of the Commission is to run its own investigation where the victim does not wish to report to the police, or for whatever reason, and to COMPEL a person to provide documentation. Now, we know how Church of England and Yorkshire Baptist Association are refusing to share -

- relevant and vital information relating to my own investigation, and this would have been a prime example where the Commission (if we have a UK wide one) could get involved instead of my having to beg and plead with the churches for help week after week.

💅

Vital and appropriate.

The recommendation of a Telephone Helpline is really important, and practical. You can also call @GalopUK for help, but at the moment it doesn't carry the kind of backing of the government which an official helpline would carry.

In other words, we'll be able to sue their assets twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

It will be great to see International Cooperation, especially when Scotland gains independence and we become the Inter Nationals who need their help 😂

It's important not to railroad over other cultures, while retaining the safety of LGBTQI+ people as a priority.

There is a separate report, well worth reading: LGBT+ POC & Minority Ethnic Faith Experiences of Conversion Practices.

Look it up.

And that's it! Darlings, this document is amazing, it's gorgeous, it's harrowing and it's important. I'd love to see it more widely read and understood, and to see ways we can begin the project of Education within our own Communities, using the language of this report.

The Definition of Conversion Practices used within this report has such clarity, let's adopt them in general. Maybe we can make a share-able poster or document which will act as a founding guide to the discussion of Conversion Practices.

I'm so grateful to everyone who was involved in producing this report which I know was made with blood, sweat and tears and with the inclusion of LGBTQI+ survivors who really put their own health on the line to ensure this report moved forward.

You're such a gorgeous lot and I love you all.