In a Westminster Hall Debate on Tuesday 3 November, Mike Freer MP called for the Government to explore ways in which gay ‘conversion’ therapies can be banned.
Mr Freer’s main concern is that individuals who are experiencing difficulties coming to terms with their sexual orientation could be referred by an NHS professional to see a psychotherapist for ‘treatment’.
This is despite the fact that ‘not a single medical body supports the concept of a ‘gay cure’. Indeed, this was echoed by the intervention from the Member of Parliament for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, a former Psychologist herself, Dr Lisa Cameron.
Dr Cameron stated that: “It is important to recognise that such therapy is without any evidential basis – not surprisingly, given that most of the research findings indicate an adverse impact on people’s mental health…”
The Member of Parliament for Ilford North, Wes Streeting, emphasised this point when he made reference to a briefing paper which had been prepared by the Christian campaign Group the Core Issues Trust, who had suggested in a briefing distributed to MPs, that homosexuality and mental ill health were somehow linked, when he said:
“[Have they] not got it the wrong way round? It is discrimination and the suggestion that there could be a gay cure that makes all LGBT people…feel that they are different and somehow alien.”
The above interventions reflect the general consensus amongst those present that ‘conversion’ therapies are “fundamentally abhorrent”.
In response to Mr Freer’s call for ‘conversion’ therapy to be ended once and for all, Jane Ellison, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, stated that the Government does not believe that “being lesbian, gay, or bisexual [she later corrected herself and included transgender] is an illness to be treated or cured.”
Ms Ellison committed that she would take away all the points raised during the debate and “continue to challenge the Government to go further on this issue.”
Please refer to Hansard for the official record of the debate: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151103/halltext/151103h0002.htm#15110343000005