The Government has announced that it is recommitting to a full and inclusive ban on so called 'conversion therapy' for LGBTQ+ individuals following a campaign by Alicia Kearns MP. 

The full and inclusive ban was announced after Alicia Kearns MP tabled an amendment to the Online Safety Bill to ban conversion practices being promoted to children, which garnered cross party support. 

The Prime Minister has recommitted to the full ban announced in the 2021 Queens Speech, including full protections for trans individuals. 

A Parliamentary timetable for the banning of conversion therapy has been published for the first time. Pre legislative scrutiny will be completed before the end of this Parliamentary session, which will likely fall in October 2023. 

Alicia Kearns MP has campaigned for a full and inclusive ban since her election in 2019. 

Alicia Kearns MP, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton said: "So called conversion therapy is an abhorrent and outdated practice that targets vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community. Those who have suffered conversion therapy are often left traumatised by their experiences.

"Many of those claiming to offer conversion therapy are in reality just charlatans and quacks seeking to profit from others misery. I have campaigned for a full and inclusive ban since my election in 2019 and am delighted to see the Prime Minister commit to what was promised in the Queens Speech in 2021. 

 "This ban is about protecting individuals from predatory practices, and it has been heartening to see the level of support behind it from across Parliament. If we are to protect people, it is vital that we can properly define the crimes being committed against them. By legislating specifically to ban conversion therapy, we will protect the next generation of LGBTQ+ people from the traumatic consequences of this quackery. This is a big step forward and I look forward to concluding the pre legislative scrutiny and seeing a bill to ban conversion therapy before the House imminently."

This follows Oakham's first Pride event, which took place in June 2022 and saw well over 500 individuals flock to Cutts Close and Oakham Castle to celebrate the inclusive event.

Read more here.

Image taken at Oakham's innaugral Pride event.

 Right Hon Micelle Donelan MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: "We have had constructive engagement with the Honourable Member for Rutland and Melton on her amendment which seeks to prevent children from seeing harmful online content on conversion practices.

It is right that this issue is tackled through a dedicated and tailored legislative approach, which is why we are announcing today that the Government will publish a draft Bill which will set out a proposed approach to ban conversion practices, this will apply to England and Wales. The Bill will protect everyone, including those targeted on the basis of their sexuality, or being transgender.

The Government will publish the draft Bill shortly and will ask for pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee in this parliamentary session."

Alicia Kearns cutting the ribbon on the Oakham Canal Green Corridors Project information board and milepost.

Last week, Friday 13 January 2023, Ms Kearns also celebrated the unveiling of the Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project information board and milepost in Oakham.

Find out more here.

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