Conversion Therapy Legislation Won’t Allow Religious Groups Exemption From Gay ‘Cures’ Ban, MP Vows
Tory MP Alicia Kearns, who is leading the campaign to ban conversion therapy, has said new legislation will not allow religious groups ‘perverting scripture’ to be exempted. The Conservative MP has vowed the proposed legislation will protect LGBT+ people from those “perverting religious scripture” to try to “cure” them — despite calls from religious groups to be exempt from the ban, ‘i News’ has revealed.
Alicia Kearns’ pledge follows i‘s exclusive interview with Angela Paterson, a British woman who described how her pastor sent her to a conversion therapist before grooming and raping her for four years from the age of 19 under the guise of “healing” her lesbianism.
When Paterson submitted a complaint to the pastor’s umbrella organisation, the Evangelical Alliance, she did not receive a response.
Earlier this year, the head of the Evangelical Alliance wrote to Boris Johnson asking for exceptions to be made to the ban in the name of religious freedom.
But according to the Rutland and Melton MP, this will not happen. She said: “Angela’s bravery in sharing her story provides yet another horrific example of why the forthcoming ban on so-called LGBTQ+ conversion therapy is so important.
“It will protect vulnerable people from predators deploying emotional abuse, perverting religious scripture and deploying rape as corrective tools to ‘heal’ people of their sexual orientation.”
Ms Kearns added: “Angela was refused justice, but the ban on conversion therapy will give survivors recourse to justice, save lives and protect vulnerable LGBTQ+ people by sending a clear message: love is not a pathology and it cannot be treated.
“The new law is a tribute to her and all survivors of conversion therapy, and all those made to hurt or feel ashamed for being who they are.”
Attempts to make LGBT+ people heterosexual or cisgender can take many forms, including talking therapies, electric shock treatment, exorcisms, and rape. Every major mental health body in Britain condemns all such practices as abusive and harmful.
A consultation on the proposals to make conversion therapy a criminal offence will begin in September. It is likely to last a few weeks before legislation is then drafted.
A Government Equality Hub spokesperson said: “Corrective rape is abhorrent and every case is detestable. Rape or sexual assault is a serious crime and the UK has a robust criminal law framework in place to protect people from this. I would encourage anyone to report rape or sexual assault to the police.”
“We are committed to banning conversion therapy and will shortly consult on our proposals.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
NHS Gender Clinic Categorically Denies Practising ‘Conversion Therapy’ For Gay Kids
Former Liberty University Student Describes Meetings With “In-House Conversion Therapist”
YouTube Shuts Down Anti-LGBT+ Channel Promoting Conversion Therapy
Spain To Issue Massive Fines For Anyone Offering Conversion Therapy
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