Conversion Therapy Bill (Scotland): “Expert” Panel Report to ScotGov

[rogdmum]

This quietly came out yesterday.

The “expert” panel appointed by ScotGov to look into recommendations for the conversion therapy bill have effectively come out and said only affirmation does not count as conversion therapy. They have said that parents who do not take their approved approach will be at risk of having their parental rights removed. Ie string hints that if a parent does not support a social transition, they will be at risk.

The Herald picked up the story yesterday:

www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23019958.scottish-government-conversion-therapy-ban-report-published/

And the report is here:

www.gov.scot/publications/expert-advisory-group-ending-conversion-practices-report-recommendations/

It makes for frightening reading given what we know about the Scottish Government’s beliefs.

I think the phrase “providing support and understanding in helping with self acceptance is particularly chilling when considering gender distressed children and adolescents- reeks of pushing children into a gender identity instead of working holistically to look at potential underlying issues.

I’ll attach a couple of screenshots

What is really important - and what this panel have not done at all - is to be very clear about what they think Conversion Practices are, and that this is agreed on by larger society. It looks as if they want to define them as widely and vaguely as possible and too bad if anyone disagrees.

Yes. Making law without defining your terms. Madness.

Letters written, waiting to go in the post.

Now I think about it... have they given this to the wrong committee? Adults can join any cult they like including homophobic and transphobic ones. Shouldn't this really sit with the Education, Children and Young People committee? They might at least have heard of safeguarding.