AN OPEN letter to the Government warning that its plans for a “full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices” could “criminalise mainstream, historic Christian teaching on marriage and sexual ethics, and make sharing the Gospel with some people illegal” has more than 5000 signatories.

The letter, sent to the Minister for Equalities, Olivia Bailey, on 14 October, also expresses concern that the legislation “could prevent parents from guiding their children on matters of sexuality and gender, and from urging caution if their child says they want to undergo gender treatment”.

It states: “As Christians, we oppose abuse of any kind and are grateful for the many good laws that exist. However, the lead campaigners for a new law routinely conflate the ordinary work of churches with abuse. They imply that merely expressing Christian beliefs on sexuality and gender in prayer and pastoral conversations constitutes ‘conversion therapy’ and should be outlawed.”

The 24 church leaders who organised the letter include the Revd Dr Ian Paul, a member of the Archbishops’ Council.

Last month, the Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson, told MPs that the Government was “committed to bringing forward a draft Bill to ensure that we deliver on our manifesto commitment to a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, which are abhorrent and have no place in our society.”

In 2017, the General Synod called on the government to ban conversion therapy (News, 14 July 2017). The following year, the then government announced plans for a ban, but under successive governments it has failed to materialise, amid concern from religious groups that it would impinge on their freedoms.

Bishops gave qualified support to a Private Member’s Bill last year, agreeing that coercive practices should be banned, but warning that any law needed to be carefully drafted (News,16 February 2024).