Scottish Government funding for conversion therapy helpline

A taxpayer-funded helpline is set to provide support for LGBT people who experience harmful “conversion therapies” in Scotland

A Scottish Government-funded helpline for LGBT people who have been affected by “conversion therapies” has been launched, ahead of plans for legislation to outlaw it later in the year.

Conversion therapy, often described as conversion practices, is any practice of attempting to change or supress an individual’s sexuality or gender identity.

The Scottish Government has committed to a full ban on these practices covering both transgender identity and sexual orientation, however some church leaders have spoken of fears it would criminalise Christians for “teaching what Christians have always taught”.

According to the British Psychological Society (BPS), conversion therapy tries to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Scottish Government is set to launch a consultation on banning conversion therapies, and plans on bringing forward legislation by the end of the year.

Minister for equalities, Emma Roddick, said conversion practices are “harmful, discriminatory, and have no place in our society.

“People with experience of conversion practices need care and support,” she said.

“The victims and survivors helpline, funded by the Scottish Government, is one of the ways in which we can encourage people to come forward and access the support they need.”

Blair Anderson, an anti-conversion therapy campaigner

Blair Anderson, a survivor of conversion practices who co-founded the End Conversion Therapy Scotland pressure group, said going through conversion therapy “can be a really isolating time” for victims.

“When it was happening to me, I thought I was the only person in the world who was going through what I was.

“If I had had the chance to pick up the phone and talk to someone who knew what I was going through, and how I could get help, it would have been transformational and I could have avoided years of conversion therapy.”

“This helpline will bring some essential support to some of the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ people out there.”

Conversion practices affect a small percentage of LGBT people. In 2018, the UK Government’s National LGBT Survey found that two per cent of respondents had undergone conversion or reparative therapy in an attempt to ‘cure’ them of being LGBT, and a further five per cent had been offered it.

Mark Kelvin, the chief executive of LGBT Health and Wellbeing Scotland, the organisation which will run the helpline said “many people will be surprised to hear that conversion practices happen in Scotland, but unfortunately we know that it does”.

“LGBT+ have nothing to be ashamed of. We are not broken and do not need, and cannot , cured.

“Whilst I appreciate that some people may believe otherwise, and might even claim to act out of love in subjecting friends, family, and community members to these practices, they have no right exercising their beliefs on other people.”

Dr Rebecca Crowther, a policy manager for the Equality Network, added: “Conversion practices are still legal in Scotland and evidence shows that they are still happening here.

“They take many forms and affect diverse LGBT+ people. Conversion Practices can cause a lifetime of trauma, poor mental health, suicidal ideation and lasting harm.”