CLIFF JOANNOU
It’s time to outlaw conversion therapy
OPINION
“IT’S A PRACTICE BASED ON THE IDEA THAT A PERSON’S SEXUALITY CAN BE CURED”
WE’VE COME A LONG WAY with equal rights legislation in the UK since the early 20th century.
This year, the UK marks 100 years since (some) women first won the right to vote. Last year, we marked 50 years since partial discrimination of homosexuality.
Meanwhile, the European Convention of Human Rights outlaws slavery, gives us the right to freedom of expression and prohibits torture and “inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.
Laws protect our rights as adults, but one cruel practice that is tantamount to psychological torture remains legal. In the UK in 2018, parents can submit LGBT+ children to conversion therapy without legal recourse.