Welsh Bishops back proposed ban on gay conversion therapy
A group of Welsh Bishops have backed a proposed ban on gay conversion therapy
The Bench of Bishops in the Church in Wales said trying to “force people to try and change their sexuality” is “both abusive and traumatising”.
It put a statement in response to the announcement in the Queen’s Speech that the UK Government is planning to make the practice illegal.
It has also urged the Senedd to “bring in robust legislation” to ban it in in “all its forms”.
The statement says: “The Bench of Bishops in the Church in Wales welcomes the announcement in the Queen’s Speech that the UK Government will ban gay conversion therapy.
“We believe that human sexuality is a gift of God to be cherished and honoured. It is an intrinsic part of who we are as human beings and an expression of God’s glorious diversity in creation.
“Anything which seeks to suggest that there is something inherently wrong or sinful in those who are non-heterosexual or which seeks to force people to try and change their sexuality is, we believe, wrong. It is both abusive and traumatising; as those who have experienced such ‘therapy’ can testify.
“We join our voices with The Royal College of Psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals in asserting that the practice of gay conversion therapy inflicts life-long damage on those who are forced to undergo it and has no place in the modern world.
“We understand that the Senedd will also consider this matter, and urge the Senedd to bring in robust legislation that will ban conversion therapy in all its forms thereby offering protection to LGBTQI+ people in Wales from this abusive and damaging practice.”
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“The Bench of Bishops in the Church in Wales said trying to ‘force people to try and change their sexuality” is “both abusive and traumatising’.” I don’t know of anyone arguing that persons should be forced to engage in any treatment. The bishops are correct that people should not be forced to change, but they don’t think people should have the right to choose how to deal with something that’s distressing them! They don’t support the human right of persons to deal with psychological and emotional issues in a way that fits their desires, values and beliefs. Will not this… Read more »
I am astonished to learn that gay conversion therapy is still legal in the UK. The Church of England has shown what in Britain would be considered extraordinary courage and bravery by stating that the practices have “no place in the modern world”. Obviously, too much courage would be required for gay clergy to come out of the closet and practice what they preach. In my day at Oxford many decades ago about half of the theologians were gay, and not so closeted while still at Oxford, but then became cartoonishly discrete vicars in towns across the country. In Wales, my friend… Read more »