Conversion therapy has long been condemned for the harm it causes to LGBT+ people. Yet, when it comes to the transgender community, the urgency to act is even greater. Despite repeated promises, the UK government has still not implemented a comprehensive ban—and proposed legislation has often excluded or watered down protections for trans people. This leaves thousands at risk of practices that are nothing short of abuse.
What Conversion Therapy Looks Like for Trans People
For transgender people, conversion practices often involve:
Pressuring individuals to “live as their assigned sex” rather than affirming their gender identity.
Delaying or denying gender-affirming care under the guise of caution, while coercing someone to suppress who they are.
Religious or ideological interventions that frame being trans as a moral failing to be resisted or prayed away.
These practices are not neutral, nor are they therapeutic. They are attempts to erase transgender identities, often targeting children and young people when they are most vulnerable.
The Evidence of Harm is Overwhelming
Major health organisations—including the NHS, the British Psychological Society, and the World Health Organization—agree: conversion therapy has no scientific basis. Instead, it increases the risk of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide. For trans people, who already face high rates of mental health struggles due to stigma and discrimination, the impact is especially devastating.
By failing to ban conversion therapy for trans people, the UK is compounding harm and neglecting its duty of care.
A Human Rights Imperative
Every person has the right to live authentically, free from coercion and abuse. Denying trans people that right is a violation of human dignity and equality. The UK is bound by international human rights agreements, yet its inaction sends a clear message: that trans lives are negotiable.
This is not just a policy debate—it is a matter of survival for trans people.
Why Immediate Repeal is Essential
The longer the UK delays a full ban, the more trans people are subjected to harmful practices disguised as care. Half-measures, such as banning only conversion therapy related to sexual orientation, explicitly exclude trans people and reinforce the dangerous notion that their identities are less valid.
A meaningful ban must:
Explicitly include transgender and non-binary people.
Cover all settings, from healthcare to religious contexts.
Apply to both minors and adults, because abuse cannot be legitimised through “consent.”
Provide accountability mechanisms so that perpetrators face consequences.
The UK Must Act Now
Countries such as Canada, New Zealand, and France have already banned conversion therapy across all LGBT+ identities. The UK risks falling behind—but more importantly, it is failing its own transgender citizens.
Trans people deserve better than delay, debate, or diluted protections. They deserve the same right to live authentically, safely, and with dignity as anyone else.
Conversion therapy is abuse. There is no safe version of it. The UK must ban it fully and immediately—for everyone, including the transgender community.
Transvox - EHRC Guidance Discussion
Hosts Jenny and Gillian discuss the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission’s finalised guidance following a Supreme Court judgment defining sex in the Equality Act as biological sex at birth, and reactions to earlier draft guidance that suggested excluding trans people from toilets and other single...
Melissa D of Loving Me on Domestic Abuse Support for Trans and Non-Binary People
This week, Gillian interviews Melissa D from Loving Me, who discusses her background as a late-transitioning trans woman from the West Midlands, her career shift from accounts clerk to social worker, and work in substance misuse and mental health before transitioning in her 40s. Melissa explains Lov...
Transvox and NION Women: Not In Our Name and the Trans-Inclusive Feminist Voice
Gillian interviews returning guest Abi, a PR consultant focused on trans inclusion, and Jacqui, a physio, meditation teacher, writer, and mother of a young trans woman, about their work with NION Women/Not In Our Name. They were part of the team that formed the collective to counter media and politi...
Transvox Season Two Kickoff: Exclusion Policies, NHS Care, and Community Pushback
Gillian and Jenny begin Transvox season two by catching up on major trans-related UK stories from recent months. They discuss the Women’s Institute and Girl Guides planning to exclude trans girls, describing these moves as cruel fallout from a Supreme Court judgment being used to justify wider exclu...
Innovative Initiatives for Trans-Inclusive Cancer Care with Abigail Parkes and Emma LeatherBarrow
In this episode of Transvox, we’re joined by Abigail Parkes from Beyond Reflections and Emma LeatherBarrow from the Wessex Cancer Alliance. They discuss innovations and challenges in cancer care for the trans community, including the importance of early diagnosis, and the barriers trans people face ...
Transvox - Self-Medication and Systemic Challenges
In this episode of Transvox, Jenny and Gillian delve into the complexities of self-medication among trans+ individuals in the UK. They explore the reasons behind the rising trend of hormone self-administration due to long NHS waiting lists and the high costs of private healthcare. The conversation h...
Transvox: Exploring Organssational Leadership and DEI with Joanne Lockwood
In this episode, Joanne Lockwood shares her extensive experiences in leadership wwith Gillian, spanning from her early days in the military to her current roles in various organisations. The discussion delves into her philosophy on leadership, emphasissng the importance of continuous momentum, imper...
Transvox: Understanding the Trans+ Experience through 'The Traitors'
In this episode of Transvox, hosts Gillian and Jenny Harvey discuss how the UK TV show 'The Traitors' provides insightful lessons applicable to trans people and therapy patients. Jenny, donned in her Saturday football-watching attire (a green cloak...!) describes her fascination with the show's dyna...
Transvox: Looking forward to 2026
In this episode of Transvox, hosts Gillian and Jenny discuss a variety of topics ranging from ongoing cultural and political developments to personal anecdotes and hopes for the future. They touch on the symbolic relevance of items like the unicorn and the 'Blojhaj' shark in the trans community. A c...
Contact us to add comments, add questions or to start a conversation - go to our contact page or email me at gillian@transvox.co.uk