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. This commitment includes:

action to end conversion practices through legislative change
measures to help victims and survivors, including mental health support
education
awareness raising

Legislation

We remain committed to legislation that protects people from the harm of conversion practices, whether this is taken forward in the Westminster parliament or Scottish parliament. This will put in place legal protections to protect people from the harm of conversion practices and to respond when they have taken place.

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.

This feedback is a key part of the legislative process and has provided a wide range of views on conversion practices. It will be used when considering our next steps.

We published the consultation analysis report in October 2025.

While we have tried to publish all responses in full, we have moderated responses to remove vulgar and defamatory language and to safeguard personal data. However, to maintain the integrity of responses, some contain language and opinions which may be considered offensive or discriminatory. Reader discretion is advised. 

In addition to the consultation, we have also published:

Background

The commitment to ending conversion practices has been a Programme for Government (PfG) priority since 2021, underscoring the Scottish Government’s dedication to equality and human rights, particularly for the LGBTQI+ community.

The work that we have undertaken so far 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.

In January 2024 we set out proposals for legislative change in our public consultation.

Where to get help and support

If you or someone you know is or has been affected by conversion practices, 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 Tuesday to Thursday (12pm - 9pm) and Sunday (1pm - 6pm).

free phone: 0800 464 7000
email: helpline@lgbthealth.org.uk

livechat: on their website during opening hours

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 to 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 Friday 6pm to Monday 6am

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 is important to know that you are not alone and what you are 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.

Information