U.K. backflips on gay conversion therapy changes

A ban on gay conversion therapy in the United Kingdom is set to go ahead, after the government faced backlash for saying it would drop the legislation entirely.

Conversion practices refer to ‘attempts to change or suppress a person’s sexuality or gender identity’.

In 2020, PM Boris Johnson and his predecessor Theresa May had both promised to make the therapy illegal, with Johnson saying it has ‘no place in modern society’.

But on Thursday a government spokesperson confirmed lawmakers were looking at ‘non-legislative’ ways to prevent conversion practices, including using existing law.

This followed a Downing Street briefing also noting “the PM has agreed not to move forward with the original legislation”.

But just a few hours later, reports surfaced of a senior government official saying the government had backflipped yet again and the legislation will be brought to the floor for a vote.

It’s expected the legislation will cover gay conversion therapy practices, but will not protect trans individuals.

ITV editor Paul Brand says: “the U-Turn on the U-Turn… the Prime Minister has changed his mind off the back of the reaction… and he will now ban conversion therapy after all”.