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Faith leaders press for LGBTQ+ conversion therapy ban More than 400 faith leaders from 35 countries have encouraged bans on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy by signing an open letter calling for the controversial practice to be criminalised
) GLAAD, an organisation which aims to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people, defines conversion therapy as any practice which attempts to alter someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity; it has been widely discredited by medical bodies and known to cause trauma in those who are subjected to it. Signatories of the letter include Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who is a longstanding LGBTQ+ advocate, the Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, Paul Bayes, and former Chief Rabbi of Ireland David Rosen. The joint statement reads: “We recognise with sadness that certain religious teachings have often, throughout the ages, caused and continue to cause deep pain and offense to those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex. “We acknowledge, with profound regret, that some of our teachings have created, and continue to create, oppressive systems that fuel intolerance, perpetuate injustice and result in violence. This has led, and
continues to lead, to the rejection and alienation of many by their families, their religious groups and cultural communities. We ask for forgiveness from those who live.” It continues: “We call on all nations to put an end to criminalisation on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, for violence against LGBTQ+ people to be condemned and for justice to be done on their behalf. “We call for all attempts to change, suppress or erase a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression – commonly known as ‘conversion therapy’ – to end, and for these harmful practices to be banned.”
Brighton & Hove City Council statement on LGBTQ+ hate crime
) If you’ve experienced homophobia, transphobia or biphobia or witnessed insults, intimidation, threats, online abuse or violence, we know speaking up can be difficult, but reporting makes a difference. It can help prevent it happening again or to other people and improve how services respond. You can tell the police directly or Brighton & Hove City Council’s Community Safety Casework Team can discuss your options and help with reporting. You can call the team on 01273 292735, email communitysafety.casework@ brighton-hove.gov.uk or use the online reporting form - www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/reportanti-social-behaviour-or-hate-incident-yourneighbourhood. Staff are trained to deal with hate crime sensitively. Remember, you don’t have to be the victim of hate crime to report it. You can report what you’ve seen happening to someone else, or report it on their behalf if they don’t want to. If you’ve seen something on a website or social media that promotes hatred or violence against a particular group, use our online form to report it. You can report to Sussex Police by visiting www.sussex.police.uk/hatecrime, but in an emergency always call 999.
A 2018 government survey found 2% of the UK’s LGBTQ+ community have undergone the practice, with another 5% having been offered it. PM Boris Johnson previously referred to conversion therapy as “abhorrent”, saying it “has no place in civilised society”. However, the ban has yet to be implemented in the UK as it has been in Switzerland and areas of Australia, Canada and the US.
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