15% of LGBTQIA respondents have been threatened with homelessness, Stonewall finds
BY EMILY WARNER, IMAGE BY GETTY
New research, commissioned by Stonewall, shows that almost a third of LGBTQIA people in the UK have experienced attempts from others to change their sexuality or gender identity – a damaging practice known as conversion “therapy”.
Specifically, more than 1 in 10 respondents reported experiencing “corrective rape” and 15 per cent of LGBTQIA people were threatened with homelessness in an effort to change their identities. Other reports of conversion practices included physical assault, pseudo-scientific “counselling”, prayer as a form of “healing”, exorcism, and community exclusion.
Simon Blake, the CEO of Stonewall, said in the report: “Each day that conversion practices remain legal, they continue to cause untold suffering to LGBTQ+ people across the country – placing LGBTQ+ people at risk of harm. These alarming figures shed light on just how common these practices remain, despite often being hidden from public view or scrutiny.”
The study comes as the UK government finally commits to introduce a Conversion Practices Bill. This long-awaited bill would ban all forms of conversion “therapy”. Since 2018, when Theresa May expressed support for trans-inclusive legislation, multiple Prime Ministers have promised to ban conversion practices. Yet six years later, no such bill has materialised. This study highlights the urgent need for one as conversion “therapy” remains a widespread practice.
Jayne Ozanne, a survivor of faith-based conversion “therapy”, told Pink News: “It all comes from the belief that the only acceptable way of living and being is heteronormative, cisgender stereotypes of male and female.” Conversion practices are “unacceptable, dangerous and damaging”, she added, in a plea to the government for change.
Matthew, who has also lived through conversion practices, said that they, “go beyond simply targeting someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity; they cause you to doubt yourself and lose trust in who you are.”
Studies have shown a link between conversion “therapy” and depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. For Matthew, “the effect that my experiences have had on my own mental health, causing anxiety, isolation and depression is something no one should have to endure. At a time of rising hostility towards LGBTQ+ people, the UK Government has a chance to take a stand and protect our communities from cruelty and abuse.”
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