The Un-numbered Question

Whichever approach you choose, we think you must enter a 'somewhat agree' response to the first question, which is un-numbered. We think this may be a 'filter' question; and by answering 'somewhat agree' they will be obliged to read the rest of your submission, rather than discarding it on a 'disagreed' basis.

This is a loose suggestion. Please don't copy it; your own words and why you're concerned ('as a parent' etc) are vital here.

Q. Do you agree or disagree that the Government should intervene to end conversion therapy in principle?

A. Whilst I somewhat agree that the government should intervene to end conversion therapy in principle, by including gender identity ('being transgender'), this policy risks having the opposite effect to its intention, because it is logically impossible for someone to be converted from something that doesn't exist - there is no definition of 'gender identity' in law, or science, or fact. Feeling that one is the opposite sex is a symptom of gender dysphoria, which needs to be thoughtfully explored , not validated and affirmed.

I am concerned this bill will lead to more children being told there is something wrong with them and that they need to be converted through hormonal treatment and physical surgeries. I am also concerned about the lack of evidence that conversion therapy is really happening in the UK today; as the government's own report seems to point to a vanishingly small number of cases. I feel the gender identity issue should be removed from the conversion therapy bill (leaving the LGB only), or in fact you should wait until the results of the Cass Review are fully understood.Fill in the Consultation


1. Abridged
When you've entered the answer to the un-numbered question, there is one more question that is vitally important and should be answered - 'Strongly Disagree'.

Question 2

'The Government considers that delivering talking therapy with the intention of changing a person’s sexual orientation or changing them from being transgender or to being transgender either to someone who is under 18, or to someone who is 18 or over and who has not consented or lacks the capacity to do so should be considered a criminal offence. The consultation document describes proposals to introduce new criminal law that will capture this. How far do you agree or disagree with this?'

Inspiration for answer (reproduced by courtesy of Sex Matters). Please do not copy this wholesale.
The government is right to want to protect therapists and other healthcare staff who are providing legitimate support to children with gender dysphoria, but it is not clear how this legislation will do that. 

• The proposed approach to protecting therapists depends on a child or vulnerable person presenting as “questioning”. If a child or vulnerable person identifies as transgender, therapists could be threatened with criminal penalties if they do not affirm this identity, and fewer would be willing to work with children with gender issues. 
• Social transition often comes before a child has had any formal assessment or therapy, and is a significant step. Schools are making the decision to transition children, often without parental consent. The proposed legislation would threaten schools, teachers, youth workers and others who work with children if they don't agree to affirm children as the opposite sex.

2. Full version
For inspiration, you might like to refer to this advice from our friends at Transgender Trend, or this advice from Sex Matters. Good luck!

Once you've filled it in
2. Email your MP and send them the link to this briefing. if you prefer to attach a pdf, we have produced one without CfW branding that you can download, the link is here.

3. Phone your MP, or better still, get an appointment with them to confirm they've received the briefing and ask their thoughts on it. Phoning to confirm receipt is the only way in some cases that the assistants will make sure to pass on your email.

Or, attend a surgery. If you are able, it would be great if you could speak to your MP at one of their local surgeries, these are likely to be under-booked in the run-up to Christmas. MPs need to give you ten minutes of face-to-face time if you have made the effort to attend their surgery. We recommend you print out our briefing, talk them through it, and leave it with them to share with colleagues!