Thread by @ECTScotland

The Scottish Parliament is set to debate banning #ConversionTherapy at 2pm.

Need a primer to the debate? Here are the key points.

Conversion practices refer to practices intended to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or transgender identity.

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Conversion practices are undertaken with the intent to change another person.

It is not simply expressing an opinion, faith, or distaste at someone’s identity or behaviour but rather a concerted effort to change another’s sexuality or transgender identity.

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Conversion Practices Happen in Scotland.

Exact numbers are often difficult to come by given the covert nature of conversion practices.

But from our research and the testimony of survivors there is a strong body of evidence to suggest that they are common in Scotland.

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The UK Government’s National LGBT Survey 2018 has found that -

5% of LGBTQ+ people have been offered conversion therapy;

A further 2% of LGBTQ+ people had undergone conversion therapy;

Meaning tens of thousands of Scots are at risk of conversion therapy today.

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There is a strong medical and professional consensus against conversion practices. @TheBMA, @NHSScotland and other major regulatory bodies have signed a memorandum of understanding that brands such practices “unethical and potentially harmful”

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This position does not prevent those with uncertain feelings or distress relating to their sexuality or gender identity from receiving appropriate and ethical help.

Rather a ban on conversion practices would prevent practices with a desired or predetermined outcome.

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Conversion practices do not work. Being LGBTQ+ is not shameful nor something to be “cured”.

The belief that diverse sexualities and gender identities are wrong, undesirable or inherently disordered - is contrary to the rights and dignity of LGBT+ people.

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What do Faith Leaders say?

We do not believe that a conversion therapy ban would unfairly restrict people's right to religion; faith leaders and human rights experts agree.

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Most faith leaders support a ban on conversion practices.

The Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives have had almost 2000 signatures to their Declaration which called for an end to violence against LGBT+ people and a global ban on conversion therapy.

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An End to Conversion Practices in Scotland.

In calling for a policy solution to conversion therapy in Scotland, we seek to take a broad approach, not only to ban conversion practices bringing about an end to the circumstances in which conversion practices occur.

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We take this position on the basis of two premises:

1. That in the interests of the prevention of harm and in line with the Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion Therapy there is an ethical and public health imperative behind ending these practices.

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2. That the beliefs underlying these practices - that diverse sexualities and gender identities are wrong, undesirable or inherently disordered - is contrary to the rights and dignity of LGBT+ people

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It is on this basis that we call for a ban on conversion practices:- On the basis of both sexuality and gender identity,- That prevents their advertising.- That include provisions to protect individuals from being removed from the country to undergo them.

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Addressing the causes of conversion therapy, we believe that this must be taken in conjunction with non-legislative measures.

Raising awareness and fostering dialogue are key to challenging the beliefs underlying conversion practices, and to bringing about their end.

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We welcome the thorough and compassionate approach @SP_EHRCJ has taken so far.

We believe they are best placed to take forward the evidence they have heard to deliver a bill to Parliament.

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Note - The session in which our campaign will be debated starts at 2pm, due to its position in the order of business our specific debate is likely to begin around 3.15pm