We asked you about conversion practices – this is what you told us Easy Read Version

Suppression

Many respondents who do not agree with the proposals in relation to ‘suppression’ felt that the proposed law needs:

• guidance as to what behaviours would be covered
• a definition of suppression

Some respondents were worried that including suppression could mean it would be against the law to teach about celibacy.

Celibacy means not having sex.

Respondents who supported inclusion of suppression in the proposed laws said that:

• reports show that suppression of someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity is harmful

• if suppression is not included some people would say they were trying to suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity instead of trying to change it

Some respondents said that including ‘causing fear, alarm or distress’ in the proposed definition of harm could make the law apply to counselling or therapy services.

In some therapy services people feel distress when they look back at bad or frightening things that have happened to them.

Respondents said it must be clear that these therapies are not conversion practices.

The Scottish Government says that the proposed law will not stop faith bodies explaining their beliefs including celibacy.

The Scottish Government:

• understand that people want the law to be clearer.
• will think more about this and try to make the definition of suppression clearer.