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What Is Conversion Therapy For LGBTQ+ That King Charles Is Promising To Ban
What Is Conversion Therapy For LGBTQ+ That King Charles Is Promising To Ban
King Charles III has once again brought Britain’s long-delayed conversion therapy ban into national focus after the proposed legislation was included in the latest King’s Speech, reigniting debate around LGBTQ+ rights, mental health and religious freedoms across the UK. The ‘promise’ comes after years of political promises, mounting pressure from campaigners and growing concern from health experts who say so-called conversion practices can leave lasting psychological harm on LGBTQ+ individuals.
During the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026, the announcement signals the Labour government’s commitment to introducing a draft Bill to ban “abusive conversion practices." This marks the fifth such pledge in eight years, raising hopes among advocates while reigniting debates about balancing protection with personal freedoms.
Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy or gay cure therapy, refers to any practice that attempts to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. According to the British Psychological Society (BPS), it seeks to stop or suppress someone from being gay or from identifying with a gender different to their sex recorded at birth.
At its core, conversion therapy refers to practices that attempt to make LGBTQ+ individuals become heterosexual or cisgender.
These practices can range from talking therapies and prayer sessions to more extreme measures, including exorcism, physical violence, or food deprivation. Major medical bodies, including NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, have long warned that all forms of conversion therapy are unethical and potentially harmful, with risks including emotional trauma, depression, and long-term psychological damage.
Despite the word “therapy", many health organisations and human rights groups reject the term because the methods involved are widely considered psychologically harmful and scientifically unsupported.
In the King’s Speech, the monarch stated, “My Government will bring forward…a draft Bill to ban abusive conversion practices." An accompanying addendum clarified that the proposed ban would be trans-inclusive, covering attempts to change both sexual orientation and gender identity. The government described conversion practices as “abuse" and emphasised its manifesto commitment to delivering protection while preserving support for those exploring their identity.
The bill, once published in draft form, will undergo pre-legislative scrutiny and consultation before a full version is introduced to Parliament. It is intended to apply to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland continue to handle the issue separately.
The latest proposal announced through the King’s Speech would introduce a Draft Conversion Practices Bill covering England and Wales. Government officials say the legislation is intended to ban abusive practices targeting both sexual orientation and gender identity while still protecting what they call “legitimate healthcare" and personal exploration conversations.
Exact figures are difficult to establish, but a 2018 UK-wide LGBT Survey found that about 5% of respondents had been offered conversion therapy, while 2% had undergone it. People from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with religious faith were more likely to be affected. A higher proportion of transgender respondents reported experiences with the practice.
Mental health experts have repeatedly warned about the long-term emotional consequences linked to conversion therapy. LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation Stonewall says such practices can contribute to anxiety, depression, trauma and low self-esteem. The organisation also highlighted findings suggesting that seven per cent of LGBT people in Britain have either undergone or been offered conversion therapy.
Some religious groups and conservative organisations argue that poorly drafted legislation could unintentionally criminalise pastoral conversations, parental guidance or discussions around faith and sexuality.
On the other hand, LGBTQ+ campaigners worry that broad exemptions could weaken the effectiveness of the ban and leave loopholes open for harmful practices to continue under different labels.
Around 16 countries have introduced full or partial bans, including Canada, Germany, and Brazil. In the United States, approximately 20 states have banned the practice for minors, though many exemptions exist for religious counsellors.
As the UK moves forward with this draft Bill, the conversation remains nuanced. Supporters view the ban as essential protection against harm, while critics caution against unintended consequences for families, therapists, and faith communities.
Source: News18
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