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Policy

LGBTQI+

From
Minister for Equalities, +1 more … Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate, +1 more … Justice Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights
Policy actions  3 of 4

Ending conversion practices

Conversion practices are abusive and harmful practices that seek to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. No person or organisation should try to change or suppress another person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, whatever that is.

We are committed to ending harmful conversion practices in Scotland.

Our commitment to ending conversion practices includes a legislative ban as well as measures to support victims and survivors of conversion practices. This includes mental health support, education and awareness-raising.

Where to get help and support

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing conversion practices now, have done in the past, or are worried you might, you can contact the organisations and support services below.

LGBT Health and Wellbeing provide dedicated conversion practices support for over 16s. This is available by phone, email or livechat during their opening hours, which are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (12 - 9pm) and Sundays (1 - 6pm).

They also have a guide for anyone concerned about or supporting those affected by conversion practices.

Staff may be able to support you in your preferred language. You can contact them to let them know the language you require and they will do their best to support you.

LGBT Youth Scotland offer support to young people aged 13 to 25.

  • Live Chat Service: Monday 4pm - 6pm, Tuesday 4pm - 8pm, Wednesday 4pm - 8pm, Thursday 4pm - 8pm.

Breathing Space provide a free, confidential, phone service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

  • Call: 0800 83 85 87
  • Open Monday to Thursday 6pm – 2am and from 6pm on Friday to 6am on Monday.

Childline offers support for anyone under 19 and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

GALOP has a National Helpline for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence.

  • Call: 0800 999 5428
  • Open Monday to Thursday 10am - 8pm and Friday 10am - 4pm.

Young Scot, the national youth information platform for young people aged 11 to 26, explains what conversion practices are and where to get help.

If you think that you have experienced or are currently experiencing conversion practices, it’s important to know that you are not alone and what you're going through is not your fault. Speaking to someone you trust - whether one of the support services listed above, or a friend, family member, or professional - can be a powerful step towards finding the support you deserve. Your identity is valid, and there are people who care about you and want to help.

Legislation

We are proposing legislation that protects people from the harm of conversion practices. In doing so, this will contribute to the broader protection of human rights and respect for the dignity of LGBTQI+ people.  

Consultation

We sought views on proposals for legislation to end conversion practices in Scotland. Our consultation, which was open between January and April 2024, received over 5,800 responses. Gathering this feedback is a key part of the legislative process. The responses to this consultation will be used to greater understand the range of views and consider what steps we must take. 

We will publish the consultation analysis report in due course. The public consultation was on Citizen Space. 

We also published:

Background

In the 2022 to 2023 Programme for Government (PfG), we reaffirmed our commitment to develop a Bill on ending conversion practices in Scotland, including both sexual orientation and gender identity.

The work to develop proposals for legislation builds on the report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee (January 2022). This report responded to Petition PE1817: “Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to ban the provision or promotion of LGBT+ conversion therapy in Scotland”.

We set up an independent Expert Advisory Group on Ending Conversion Practices (EAG) in March 2022. The role of the Group was to advise us on our approach to ending conversion practices. It published a report and recommendations in October 2022. We published our response to the report and recommendations in October 2022.

 

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