PM vows to ban ‘abhorrent’ conversion therapy as part of new £4.5million initiative to improve the lives of the LGBT community
More than 2,000 people in the UK have had 'conversion therapy' with at least 5,400 offered it, a major Government poll revealed
THERESA May has vowed to ban the “abhorrent” practice of trying to turn gay people straight under an action plan to improve the lives of LGBT people.
The world’s largest LGBT Government survey ever carried out showed more than 2,000 people had undergone “therapy” with at least 5,400 being offered it out of more than 108,000 respondents.
The £4.5 million initiative declared: “We will consider all legislative and non-legislative options to prohibit promoting, offering or conducting conversion therapy.”
Researchers found the LGBT community are experiencing prejudice on a daily basis.
Two in three said they avoided holding hands with a same-sex partner in public for fear of a negative reaction.
More than half of those who accessed or tried to access mental health services said they had to wait too long.
And almost a quarter said work colleagues had reacted negatively to them being LGBT.
The PM said: “We can be proud that the UK is a world leader in advancing LGBT rights, but the overwhelming response to our survey has shone a light on the many areas where we can improve the lives of LGBT people. I was struck by just how many respondents said they cannot be open about their sexual orientation or avoid holding hands with their partner in public for fear of a negative reaction.
“No one should ever have to hide who they are or who they love “This LGBT action plan will set out concrete steps to deliver real and lasting change across society, from health and education to tackling discrimination and addressing the burning injustices that LGBT people face.”
LGBT hate crime had been experienced by 40 per cent of those surveyed, with more than nine in 10 of the most serious offences going unreported.
The plan aims to look into the scale of LGBT abuse online, improving mental healthcare, combating bullying in schools, and increasing awareness of the services for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse.
Laura Russell, of the LGBT campaign group Stonewall, said it was “heartbreaking” so many people had been offered conversion therapies.
She added: “Our 2015 Unhealthy Attitudes report revealed that one in 10 health and social care staff across Britain witnessed colleagues express the dangerous belief that someone can be ‘cured’ of being lesbian, gay or bi.”
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell backed the move on conversion therapy. A national adviser on reducing LGBT inequality will also be appointed as part of the initiative.
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