Conversion Therapy: A Hits Radio Pride investigation
Our "Can't Think Straight" team take a deep dive into the issue of Conversion Therapy, as the government puts forward plans for a ban
Last updated 9th Dec 2021
As part of our "Can't Think Straight" series, Hits Radio Pride is revealing the findings of our investigation into conversion therapy.
In May 2021, after years of promises, the UK government announced it was looking to bring in legislation that would see it banned.
The law change is designed to stop people offering services that claim to convert people away from their natural sexual or gender identity, and instead put measures in place to offer support to those who've been targeted.
LISTEN: Can't Think Straight: A Hits Radio Pride investigation
CEO of "Just Like Us" Dominic Arnall tells Hits Radio Pride about the impact conversion therapy is still having on the young LGBTQ+ community
Broadcaster Pete Price shares his experience of undergoing "aversion therapy" in the 1960s.
CONTENT WARNING: You may find some elements of Pete's story upsetting
Lui Asquith from the charity Mermaids tells us how trans people are much more likely to be targeted by those offering conversion therapy, and describes the impact it can have on their lives.
Not everyone thinks there should be an outright ban on conversion therapy.
While supporting the idea of a ban, Peter Lynas from the Evangelical Alliance says allowances should be made for consenting adults to ask for help if their sexual orientation or gender identity goes against their religious belief.
MP Alicia Kearns is campaigning in Parliament for a ban on conversion therapy.
She tells our Can't Think Straight investigation why she's so passionate about the issue, and the evidence she's heard that's convinced her a total ban is the only way forward.
This is such a live issue for the LGBTQ+ community, the anti-abuse organisation Galop set up a helpline for people to call if they'd been impacted or affected by conversion therapy.
They've told our investigation why it was needed
IF YOU NEED SUPPORT: The National Conversion Therapy Helpline from Galop is available Mon-Fri 10am-4pm on 0800 130 3355
What our investigation found
Hits Radio Pride's "Can't Think Straight" Investigation has found:
- Conversion therapy is still being offered in the UK in 2021
- Those targeted are often approached by close community or even family members
- The mental health impact of conversion therapy can be long-lasting, and can include thoughts of suicide
- Historic conversion therapy techniques have been likened to "torture"
- Charities are on the frontline of dealing with the impact of conversion therapy
- There is no robust evidence conversion therapy achieves its desired outcome
You can hear from a range of voices from all sides of the arguments on Hits Radio Pride ahead of the closure of the government's consultation on the issue.
Plans to ban conversion therapy
The consultation was launched asking people what they thought of the plans to ban conversion therapy, and asking to hear evidence from those who would be impacted by a ban.
The plans set out include:
- Ensuring physical conversion therapy acts are sentenced appropriately and introducing a new offence for so-called talking conversion therapies
- Ensuring those found guilty of conversion therapy offences have any profit they obtained from those crimes removed
- Introducing Conversion Therapy Protection Orders to protect potential victims from undergoing the practice, including abroad.
UPDATE: The consultation deadline has been extended from Dec 10th 2021 to Feb 4th 2022.
A major issue for the LGBTQ+ community
While some people may believe offering someone a "cure" to their sexual or gender identity is something from the history books, evidence tells us its still a live issue for the LGBTQ+ community.
Evidence from 2017 suggests one in every 20 members of the community has been offered conversion therapy.
2% have actually undergone therapy.
The figures for the trans community are significantly higher, with 13% of respondents to a major survey saying they'd been offered therapy.
The UK Government itself is clear about whether conversion therapy works, stating: "There is no robust evidence that conversion therapy can achieve its stated therapeutic aim of changing sexual orientation or gender identity"
Despite this, some groups want there to be an allowance for any individual who consents to conversion therapy to be allowed to undergo it.
In the consultation the government references allowing people to access "counselling" about their sexual or gender identity, if it goes against their personal beliefs.
It states any such measures should have consent requirements that are "stringent and robust" and would require the individual be provided with warnings about the potential impacts the "counselling" might have.
Listen: Hits Radio Pride investigates conversion therapy
We've spoken to a range of people and organisations to discuss the biggest talking points thrown up by the change in the law.
You can hear them on Hits Radio Pride, then check back here and you can listen to them on demand too.
Get support if you've been impacted by conversion therapy
Anti-abuse charity Galop have set up a National Conversion Therapy Helpline to support anyone who is being offered conversion therapy, currently undergoing it, or has undergone it in the past.
The number is 0800 130 3335, and lines are open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm