The Conversion Practices Bill: Necessary or Dangerously Deluded? Plus the Jury Trial U-Turn

The

Conversion Practices Bill was formally announced in the King's Speech in July

and confirmed Labour's Manifesto commitment to introduce into UK

law a full, trans-inclusive ban on abusive "conversion

practices" intended to change or suppress someone's sexual orientation as

well as their transgender identity. The short, six-clause Bill was published in

draft form on 25th June and is due to commence pre-legislative scrutiny later

this month by a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament.

 

The Bill

creates new criminal offences based on three limbs: first, conduct intended to

change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity; secondly, conduct that