Banning conversion therapy: the missing evidence

Patricia Morgan

The Government proposes to ban what it labels ‘abhorrent and coercive conversion therapy’, while LGBT activists seek to prevent any therapy being sought for unwanted sexual attractions or gender confusion. These activists have a two-pronged endeavour.  

(a) to forbid those taking steps to change or leave their unwanted attractions and identities

(b) to insist that these identities (for instance, a young girl identifying as a boy, or vice versa) should be affirmed.  

Such ostensibly tolerant objectives have significant totalitarian potential, along with the neglect or encouragement of serious problems particularly affecting youth.

The Government’s proposed legislation could criminalise counselling, discussion, prayer and teaching based on orthodox Christian doctrine, and would be a serious attack upon free enquiry and freedom of speech.

With reference to a wealth of clinical and psychological academic studies, this book discusses:

• whether there really are “abhorrent and coercive” practices being used for unwanted sexual attractions in the UK today

It also examines:  

• The evidence so far as to whether or not therapies for unwanted sexual attractions are effective, and whether any lead to improvement or deterioration in mental health and well-being

• The evidence of fluidity in sexual orientation and the incidence of change

• The trend in our institutions for the affirmation of gender change for young people (who may have mental health issues or only transient gender confusion), leading to irreversible hormonal and surgical treatment

 This work, by a distinguished sociologist, is an objective academic enquiry into a range of issues surrounding so called “conversion therapy” and is essential reading for those wishing to understand the impact of the government’s proposals.