Scottish Parliament Consultation on Conversion Therapy

The Scottish Parliament Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee is also consulting with the public on the ban of provision or promotion of LGBT+ conversion therapy in Scotland. The consultation will close on 13th August 2021.

You can respond to the consultation here.

Here is our guide on how to respond:

Q1 What are your views on the action called for in the petition?

Firstly, what is the definition of conversion therapy? The umbrella term is so vast that it equates regulated counselling with criminal activity like rape. The Memorandum of Understanding of Conversion Therapy states “a therapeutic approach, or any model or individual viewpoint that demonstrates an assumption that any sexual orientation or gender identity is inherently preferable to any other, and which attempts to bring about a change of sexual orientation or gender identity, or seeks to suppress an individual’s expression of sexual orientation or gender identity on that basis.”

So which is it? A therapeutic model? Or an individual viewpoint? If it is an individual viewpoint then a client who is struggling with his sexual identity is provided with “gay affirmative therapy” currently by all bodies who have signed the memorandum.

However, if the same individual were to seek help exploring their opposite-sex attractions, then this is denounced as “conversion therapy”. Surely, it is the client that should decide what side of the sexual spectrum they wish to explore and it isn’t for the government or any other body to favour one sexual orientation (LGBTQ) over the other (heterosexual).

A ban on either choice would discriminate. To uphold human rights, therapy that is regulated should listen to the needs of the client and if the client wants to explore same-sex or opposite-sex attractions, then that is their imperative. Clear contracting in counselling highlights informed consent so no one is coerced into doing something that is against their belief and values.

Let’s agree on a definition that works for all: “A coercive attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity”. Coercion has no place in any type of therapy as it is the client who decides whether they participate in the session or not.

Q2 What action would you like to see the Scottish Government take, within the powers available to it?

Research the cases of:

• Maya Forstater v Centre for Global Development
• Otto et al. v. Boca Raton, FL
• James Esses

These cases highlight the Equality Act (2010) protecting beliefs. An individual that wants to undertake therapy to explore or increase their opposite-sex attractions is protected by the Equality Act (2010). Even the Memorandum of Conversion Therapy states: “For people who are unhappy about their sexual orientation or their gender identity, there may be grounds for exploring therapeutic options to help them live more comfortably with it, reduce their distress and reach a greater degree of self-acceptance. Some people may benefit from the support of psychotherapy and counselling to help them manage unhappiness and to clarify their sense of themselves. Clients make healthy choices when they understand themselves better. Ethical practice in these cases requires the practitioner to have adequate knowledge and understanding of gender and sexual diversity and to be free from any agenda that favours one gender identity or sexual orientation as preferable over other gender and sexual diversities. For this reason, it is essential for clinicians to acknowledge the broad spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities and gender expressions“

Q3 Do you have suggestions on how the Committee can take forward its consideration of the petition? For example:

who should it talk to?

who should it hear from?

Please research on sexual fluidity, the American Psychological Association in its APA Handbook on Sexuality and Psychology (American Psychological Association, 2014), Dr. Diamond states, “Hence, directly contrary to the conventional wisdom that individuals with exclusive same-sex attractions represent the prototypical ‘type’ of sexual-minority individual, and that those with bisexual patterns of attraction are infrequent exceptions, the opposite is true. Individuals with nonexclusive patterns of attraction are indisputably the ‘norm,’ and those with exclusive same-sex attractions are the exception.” This pattern has been found internationally (v. 1, p. 633). Most people who experience same-sex attraction also already experience opposite-sex attraction.

Speak to organisations which currently work with a population that do not identify as LGBT and are seeking help to address unwanted same-sex lust and exploring opposite-sex attractions. This population doesn’t identify as heterosexual or LGBTQ and therefore are never represented in LGBTQ surveys.

Strong Support as an example is the only organisation in the UK for Muslims that struggle with their sexual identity and look for professional support.

Finally, look at other countries like Canada, where the terminology of the definition of conversion therapy in their bill C-6 had led to the bill stalling multiple times as it didn’t settle on a definition of conversion therapy.