CAPTION: Draft Conversion Therapy legislation will be presented to Parliament
Diocese of Exeter Statement on Proposed Conversion Therapy Ban
The Church of England believes that all people are made in God’s image and that all are welcome in God’s Church. In 2017 the General Synod of the Church of England voted overwhelmingly to reject conversion therapy aimed at LGBTQ+ people, agreeing that such therapies are unethical and potentially harmful, calling on the Church to be sensitive to expressions of gender identity and calling on the Government to ban the practice of conversion therapy.
The position of the Church of England was stated clearly by the Bishop of London in May 2021: “We recognise the difficulties in defining Conversion Therapies and look forward to working closely with the Government to develop a viable definition and subsequent legislation.” This is work that is continuing at a national level so that there is clear definition, that conversion therapies are duly banned and that those who are concerned to protect religious rights and freedoms are reassured.
In the Diocese of Exeter, we encourage Christians everywhere to engage with the ‘Living in Love and Faith’ project, where complex and sensitive questions can be explored. Designed by the Church of England, it invites us to think profoundly about what it means to be human and to learn together about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
The results of the UK Government’s public consultation about proposed Conversion Therapy legislation are now being analysed and draft legislation is being prepared to be presented to Parliament.
You can find out more about the Living in Love and Faith process here.
