Quakers push for ban on conversion therapy
'Together with the Quaker Gender and Sexual Diversity Community (QGSDC), BYM shared its views in a joint response to a government consultation.'
Britain Yearly Meeting has said that it strongly supports a ban on ‘so-called conversion therapy’. Together with the Quaker Gender and Sexual Diversity Community (QGSDC), BYM shared its views in a joint response to a government consultation.
Paul Parker, recording clerk of BYM, said: ‘We believe that sexual orientation and gender identity are sacred gifts and we are deeply troubled by practices that seek to change, suppress or “cure” them. We welcome the government’s proposals to ban so-called conversion therapy and hope they will be strengthened and implemented as soon as possible.’
In the response, Friends set out their religious reasons for opposing conversion therapy. They also highlighted evidence that a ban is needed.
They asked the government to strengthen its proposals by removing a loophole that would allow conversion therapy where an adult has ‘consented’. They said that conversion therapy is harmful and ineffective, so consent is irrelevant.
The consultation comes after accusations that the government is dragging its heels on the issue since it pledged to ban the practice three years ago. QGSDC issued a statement after its annual conference on 8 October sending ‘love and solidarity’ to ‘all who have experienced conversion practices, both coercive and non-coercive’. It added that ‘this includes many Friends we are aware of… who have since found a home in Quakerism’.
A number of faith groups have pushed for a ban. This includes the Methodist Church and the Church of England, as well as the Hindu Council and Buddhist groups such as Dhamma Center in Colchester.
