Equality Network, Scotland’s leading LGBTI+ policy charity, are concerned that today’s Programme for Government shows an apparent lack of commitment to human rights and equalities. Postponing the bill to end conversion practices and dropping the misogyny bill are only the two latest failures to commit to improving the lives of the most vulnerable in Scotland, following on from the shelving of the Human Rights Incorporation Bill and the National Care Service in the past year.

Conversion Practices Bill stalled

The decision of the Scottish Government not to progress a bill to end conversion practices within this parliament will be a huge blow to LGBTI+ Scots. But it will be particularly disappointing for those survivors of conversion practices who have given a substantial amount of time and effort over the past five years to help make this bill a reality in Scotland, and who have been repeatedly reassured that the Government will take action to protect others from the harm that they experienced.

Outside of introducing this legislation, Equality Network hopes that the Scottish Government does continue to develop its draft legislation so that it is ready to introduce without delay should they not be satisfied with a UK bill. As part of this, it’s vital that non-legislative measures such as mediation services and education are also developed, as these are vital for ending conversion practices, not just banning them.

Failure to Commit to Equalities, Human Rights and Inclusion

Equality Network were disappointed to see that the Scottish Government have chosen to drop the long-waited Misogyny Bill and will instead add the protected characteristic of sex to the already existing Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. This decision is especially surprising given the Scottish Government’s commitment to following Baroness Helena Kennedy’s recommendation that misogyny be addressed in its own, far more comprehensive stand-alone legislation that would have provided women with significantly stronger protections against misogynistic behaviour.

Rebecca Don Kennedy, CEO of Equality Network said:

“Work on bettering LGBTI+ lives that has been in progress for several years now appears to be stalled. Despite these setbacks, Equality Network, Scottish Trans, and the rest of the Scottish LGBTI+ sector will continue to push hard for truly meaningful improvements and actual change – both during the remainder of this parliamentary term and beyond.

Coming amid a rise in anti-LGBTI+ rhetoric across the globe, and just after the Supreme Court’s judgement on the meaning of “Sex” in the Equality Act, this will be another significant knock back to a community that increasingly feels like their rights are going backward, rather than being progressed.”

Vic Valentine, manager of Scottish Trans said:

Conversion practices are harmful – whether they target you because of who you love, or who you are. There is significant support for banning so called “conversion therapy” in Scotland, with polling showing two thirds of Scots support a ban. But ultimately, the most important thing is that legislation to end these harmful practices is delivered soon and protects LGBT+ people from harm, no matter which Parliament that happens in.

We hope the Scottish Government is serious in its assurances that they will introduce a Bill in the first year of the next Parliament if Westminster does not produce legislation that will protect all LGBT+ people from harm. This means a trans inclusive ban, across all places, for all ages – with no loophole for consent.

Notes for editors

1. Equality Network was founded in 1997, and has worked since then to promote lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex equality and human rights in the law, institutions and society of Scotland. Scottish Trans is a project of the Equality Network: https://www.equality-network.org/ https://www.scottishtrans.org/

For more information, contact:

Vic Valentine, vic@equality-network.org or Erin Lux, erin@equality-network.org