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Labour MPs urge UK government to scrap trans bill following conversion therapy survivor testimony
Survivor Ian Smith urges UK MPs to ban conversion practices after testifying about suicide attempts caused by exorcisms.
Key points
- Ian Smith testified to Parliament's Joint Committee about suicide attempts following conversion therapy.
- No current law bans conversion practices in England and Wales without physical violence.
- Smith stated that organizations conducting these practices still exist today.
Why it matters. This testimony highlights the urgent need for legal protection against conversion practices that cause severe psychological harm and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ individuals in the UK.
Ian Smith, a 56-year-old survivor of conversion practices, testified to Parliament's Joint Committee in Wales that he attempted suicide after enduring exorcisms intended to change his sexuality. He stated that 75% of victims support banning these practices, which currently lack legal protection in England and Wales unless physical violence occurs. Smith revealed that the organizations facilitating these harmful sessions still operate today despite his personal recovery.
Latest updates
Labour MPs urge UK government to scrap trans bill following conversion therapy survivor testimony
Labour MPs have urged the UK government to scrap a proposed transgender bill following testimony from survivor Ian Smith. Smith, 56, described how conversion practices intended to stop him from being gay resulted in a decade of trauma and suicidal thoughts when he was 18. The testimony highlighted the ongoing existence of organizations that damage individuals through such practices. This political pressure comes as the government considers the implications of the legislation on transgender rights and protections.
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