UK Church leader welcomes consultation on proposed ‘conversion therapy’ ban

17th May 2021

The UK’s largest grouping of Evangelical Churches has welcomed the announcement of a Government consultation on a proposed legislative ban on so-called ‘conversion therapy’.

By contrast, groups seeking the ban expressed dismay.

“The Evangelical Alliance is supportive of what the government is doing in terms of its two commitments. One is to end harmful and abusive practices targeting LGBT children, but the other is to safeguard spiritual support for those who do not want same-sex attraction. We think the government can and should do both those things,” Peter Lynas, UK Director at the Evangelical Alliance, told Premier Radio.

Lynas added that a clear definition of conversion therapy “would really help everyone because often, we’re arguing at cross purposes by different understandings.”

“There are people already contacting us saying they’re concerned about praying for somebody else, because it could fall under this or be misinterpreted so we’re asking for clear guidance to make sure that people can pray with one another.”

While the ban was promised in 2017, Lynas believes the Government have discovered that a legislative prohibition would be much more difficult to effect than they imagined.