Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GAY CONVERSION BAN IS WELCOMED
GPS support £4.5m action plan promise
A GOVERNMENT move to ban “gay conversion” therapy has been welcomed by Ulster doctors.
The controversial practice is to be outlawed under a new £4.5million LGBT action plan.
The document states: “We will consider all legislative and non-legislative options to prohibit promoting, offering or conducting conversion therapy.”
Royal College of General Practitioners chairwoman Professor Helen Stokeslampard said Northern Ireland GPS have been at the forefront of condemning conversion therapy.
She added: “GPS are highly trained experts in the whole body and mind.
“The consultation is a safe space where our patients – regardless of their sexual orientation – are guaranteed a non-judgmental conversation during which the GP, working with the patient, will advise on the best care tailored to them as an individual. The RCGP has been at the forefront in condemning conversion therapy.
“Indeed, we were the only medical Royal College to have co-signed a memorandum of understanding in 2015 which was updated last year.
“Our college in Northern Ireland has also won widespread acclaim for its pioneering guidelines on the care of LGBT patients.
“Being LGBT is not a disease, it is not a mental illness and it doesn’t need a ‘cure’. Any proclamations to the contrary risk causing harm to our gay and trans patients’ physical and mental health and well-being, as well as perpetuating discrimination in society.”
Lobby group The Rainbow Project welcomed the news, but slammed a lack of action from Stormont.
Director John O’doherty said: “The UK Government strategy demonstrates, once again, Stormont’s failure to address the inequalities experienced by LGBT people. Over the past 12 years consecutive Northern Ireland governments have committed to the publication of a sexual orientation strategy but have consistently failed to do so.
“While the UK Government has engaged with LGBT people and are listening and responding to their needs, Stormont has consistently ignored our community.
“Northern Ireland continues to lag behind the rest of the UK and Ireland on equality legislation.
“While we welcome Arlene Foster’s attendance at last week’s Pink News Summer Reception, the publication of this report evidences why we need action from Stormont not just words.”