Queen Elizabeth II has announced that the government will outlaw “ex-gay” conversion therapy, the dangerous psychological technique meant to “cure” a person of homosexuality.
While the practice has been discredited by every major medical association, the religious right continues to promote the technique despite the increased risk of suicide and depression by participants.
Related: The man behind ex-gay “conversion therapy” started out trying to make autistic children “normal”
“Measures will be brought forward to address racial and ethnic disparities and ban conversion therapy,” the Queen said during her nine-minute speech to Parliament.
“As a global leader on LGBT+ rights, this government has always been committed to stamping out the practice of conversion therapy,” Liz Truss, Minister for Women and Equalities, added after the speech. Truss confirmed the government would move forward on the measure.
“We want to make sure that people in this country are protected, and these proposals mean nobody will be subjected to coercive and abhorrent conversion therapy. Alongside this legislation, we will make new funding available to ensure that victims have better access to the support they need.”
Earlier this year, the American Psychological Association issued a statement condemning a variant of the technique meant to “cure” transgender people.
“There is a growing body of research that shows that transgender or nonbinary gender identities are normal variations in human expression of gender,” said APA President Jennifer F. Kelly in a statement. “Attempts to force people to conform with rigid gender identities can be harmful to their mental health and well-being.”
