LGBT+ Rights
End conversion practices, reform gender recognition processes.
Humanism has long been allied with LGBT+ causes, and our movements overlap significantly. We are currently campaigning to end conversion practices and reform gender recognition processes.
End conversion practices
Conversion practices, often called “conversion therapy,” are interventions that seek to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. They remain legal in Scotland, and are often undertaken in religious settings, although the vast majority of religious people do not support conversion practices.
We support a new law aimed at ending conversion practices in Scotland. We also support non-legal measures such as supporting survivors of conversion practices, allowing people to report abuse, and educating young people on the dangers of conversion practices.
We are working with our allies at Equality Network and others to bring about this outcome. We are also in ongoing discussion with the Scottish government about the legislative and civil measures required to end conversion practices in Scotland.
The problem
Conversion practices are acts which deliberately try to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. They are based on the belief that it is better to heterosexual and/or cisgender, and that other sexual orientations and gender identities are somehow flawed, wrong or ‘broken.’
The UK-wide National LGBT Survey 2018 found that 7% of LGBT+ people had been offered or undergone conversion practices. This figure was twice as high for trans respondents. Conversion practices remain one of the most harmful expressions of anti-LGBT sentiment, yet there is no legal mechanism for preventing these abhorrent practices in Scotland.
There is also inadequate support and signposting available for those who are subjected to conversion practices or are recovering from the effects of conversion therapy. And there is inadequate education available to young people on the dangers of conversion therapy.
The solution
We need to end all conversion practices in Scotland. The law must prevent coercive practices directed at specific people with the predetermined aim of suppressing, changing, or ‘curing’ their sexual orientation or gender identity.
There can be no opt-outs for organisations or individuals claiming the right to ‘religious freedom’. Nor can the law be amended due to pressure from activists opposed to full equal rights for trans and non-binary people. Such groups often attempt to present conversion practices targeted at these communities as more valid or in the ‘best interests’ of the victim.
We also need to advocate for a strong package of civil measures that support survivors of conversion practices, allow them to report abuse, and educate people, particularly young people, on the dangers of conversion practices
Our campaign
We are campaigning for comprehensive legislation aimed at ending conversion practices in Scotland, without exceptions or opt-outs. This is part of the wider campaign to criminalise conversion practices across the UK. We are also advocating for non-legal mechanisms to put a stop to conversion practices rather than pushing them underground.
We are working with our allies at Equality Network and elsewhere to achieve our aims within Scotland and continue to support UK-wide efforts to end these abusive practices. We are communicating with the Scottish government to ensure legislative proposals to end conversion practices are robust and far-reaching.
Learn more about conversion practices from Equality Network
We are working with Equality Network on efforts to end conversion practices in Scotland.
Gender Recognition Act
We support a person’s right to live as and be legally recognised as the gender that they identify with.
The Problem
To change their birth certificates to reflect their acquired gender currently requires trans people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Although they can self-identify in order to change their driving licence and passport, to change their birth certificate they must follow a process that impinges on their human rights.
To be awarded a GRC trans people must submit an application to the Gender Recognition Panel that includes a large amount of evidence to “prove” that they are trans. For example, they must have a formal psychiatric diagnosis for “gender dysphoria”, which can take many years or be very expensive. They must provide medical evidence detailing surgeries and other gender affirming treatments they have had (or chosen not to have) with reasons why. They must provide evidence that they have lived as their acquired gender for at least two years. They must be 18 or over.
Many trans people cannot satisfy the GRC panel requirements, often because of the long wait for, or high cost of, treatment. This means they are unable to change their birth certificates which can have many negative consequences and infringes on their Article Eight right to family and private life.
The solution
The proposed Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill will simplify the process for obtaining a GRC. Trans people will no longer be required to acquire a medical diagnosis of ‘gender dysphoria’, and the age that people can legally change gender will be lowered from 18 to 16.
Our campaign
We supported the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill through the public consultation phase and as it passed successfully through Holyrood. In January 2023 the UK government blocked the bill from becoming law in Scotland using powers it retains over the Scottish parliament’s law-making ability. We oppose this decision and we will continue to support all efforts to simplify the gender recognition process for trans people in Scotland, working with our colleagues at Scottish Trans.
Support the work of Scottish Trans
We work with Scottish Trans on updating gender recognition processes. Find out more about their work.
Background to our support for gender recognition reform
Our support for gender recognition reform is the result of detailed and careful thought in line with core humanist principles.
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