Conversion therapy ban for trans people could backfire and put girls at risk - Reem Alsalem

[IwantToRetire]

Trans-inclusive bans on conversion therapy could backfire by putting girls and boys at risk of harm if governments rush their implementation, a United Nations expert has warned.

Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, warned governments considering such a ban that there was a danger it could make it easier to “fast track” lesbian and autistic girls on the path of irreversible medical gender transition.

She fears that a ban on conversion therapy will stop doctors being able to speak to children about whether their depression comes from an issue other than being born in the wrong body. She said that many young women who express a desire to transition may actually be lesbian or could be on the autism spectrum, and should not be put on a “high-speed train” to gender transition.

She said: “By putting them on that high-speed train... you may inadvertently subject them to the conversion therapy you are trying to ban.”

Speaking to The Telegraph, she urged governments contemplating plans to make it easier to change gender to learn from Scotland’s failed introduction of self-ID laws. And she added that clarifying the meaning of “sex” in equality laws to mean “biological sex” would improve the protection of women and girls against discrimination based on sex.

The comments come ahead of the Labour conference, where Ms Alsalem will speak at a fringe event on Sunday.

article continues at https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/22/conversion-therapy-ban-trans-could-backfire/

Full article also available at https://archive.is/udBmS

That is what they want it to do, not a backfire.

My thoughts exactly. It's not an accidental possible bug, it's the main feature and purpose.

I'm just grateful that despite the literally world wide criticism she gets for making statements that are supportive of women's sex based rights, as well as from other people at the UN, that she still speaks up publicly.

There is no one else on the global stage who does that.

Which is pretty scary.

Only one person with globabl reach willing to speak up for women.

I think it quite funny, in a sad way, that Reem Alsalem is speaking at a fringe event and not (as far as I know) at any main Party event.

But doesn't that just show Labour's value and the hollowness of their committment to end violence against women. Not having here address the Party conference, even though they claim they are committed to ending violence against women.

Just more empty sound bites.