Dear NHS staff,

As allies to the trans and non-binary community, we are writing to you because we are disappointed, hurt and angry at the recent government U-turn on the ban of conversion therapy. We feel that as staff in the NHS we have a duty to speak up for our trans and non-binary patients and staff; and as healthcare professionals, to correct the misinformation around conversion therapy that has been circulated by the press and some politicians.

In May 2021, the UK government confirmed their commitment to banning conversion therapy for LGBT+ people, as outlined in the Queen’s Speech. Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss, said:

Despite this commitment, this week the Government has back-tracked on its promises to ban all forms of conversion therapy by actively excluding trans and non-binary people from the bill. In doing so, the government is condoning the abuse of trans and non-binary people. There has also been a dangerous conflation by the Health Secretary and Prime Minister this week, between affirmative therapy which seeks to explore a person’s gender in a safe and supported way, with so-called conversion therapy. Gender affirmation and exploration practices do not carry a predetermined outcome and are aimed at allowing individuals to safely explore their identity with appropriate guidance and support. Conversion practices, by contrast, have a clear aim to deny, suppress or change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and conflating the two is wrong.

The practice of so called “conversion therapy” has long lasting effects on LGBT+ people and can cause severe psychological and physical suffering.

In their 2022 report, Galop found 5% of LGBT+ respondents had been subjected to so-called ‘conversion therapy’ through a family member attempting to change, ‘cure’ or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The UK Government’s own LGBT Research Report (2018) found that 2% of LGBTQ+ respondents had undergone “conversion therapy”, and 5% had been offered it. Of those respondents, trans respondents were much more likely to have undergone or been offered conversion therapy (13%) than cisgender respondents (7%). Furthermore, and of particular concern, a considerably higher proportion of trans respondents who underwent conversion therapy said that it had been conducted by healthcare providers or medical professionals.

Conversion practices violate human rights, are ineffective and may lead to risk of depression, substance abuse and suicide. Being LGBT is not a mental health disorder. Anyone accessing therapeutic help should be able to do so without fear of judgement or the threat of being pressured to change who they are. By excluding trans people from a ban on conversion practices, we risk driving trans people toward even greater discrimination and targeting for abuse.

NHS England is a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion Therapy in the UK Version 2 (2017), which states that a ban on conversion practices must include all members of the LGBT community. Conversion practices are considered by all psychological therapy professional bodies to be unethical, harmful and unsupported by evidence. Conversion practices represent an unacceptable risk of serious harm to anyone who is struggling with their sexuality or gender, and who may be particularly vulnerable at the point of seeking help.

As allies, we are here to take a stand against this decision and show our support and solidarity to trans and non-binary people. We will continue fighting to oppose the wedge that is being put between the LGB and the T.

Trans rights are human rights.

As an ally, there are many things that you can do to help:

By signing this open letter, we are not only showing our opposition to this U-turn but also showing our fierce support for trans and non-binary people affected by this bill.

Your Sincerely,