Labour has said a new law committed to banning all forms of conversion therapy, including practices targeting transgender individuals is imminent.
Anneliese Dodds, Labour’s shadow minister for women and equalities, promised that Labour’s ban would have “no loopholes” and would be fully inclusive of LGBTQ+ people.
This comes after years of delays from the Conservative government, which first pledged to ban conversion therapy six years ago but dithered and delayed.
Dodds also highlighted Labour’s broader commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ rights, condemning the rise in hate crimes, including an 11% increase in transphobic incidents in the last year. Labour’s plan includes tougher sentences for anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, with Dodds stressing that every individual deserves dignity and respect.
She criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for using the LGBTQ+ community as a political tool, citing his derogatory comments about trans people. Labour’s stance signals a strong commitment to equality and ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected from harmful practices.