Council of Europe votes for ban on conversion practices

Sex Matters’ latest attempt to spread hate has fallen short. The Council of Europe has just voted to ban conversion practices, ignoring a lobbying effort from the transphobic group.

This comes after years of work from Kate Osborne MP and her team, as well as pressure from the LGBTQ+ community to resist dangerous attempts to change people’s identity. And in just the last week, more than 10,000 of you emailed the UK parliamentary representatives at the Council of Europe to ask them to stand up for what’s right.

For Jess O’Thomson, Good Law Project’s Trans Rights Lead this is an important step in defending marginalised people.

“As a member of the queer community, I sadly have many friends who have been subjected to conversion practices. I was unfortunate enough to experience them myself. No person deserves to be tortured for who they are. It’s now time for the UK government to follow the Council of Europe, and ensure a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices.”

The rollback of trans rights is not inevitable. When we come together we can fight for what’s right, use the law for good, and make politicians deliver the policies we deserve.