In a world-first study, Galop’s latest research report analyses frontline service data to expose the lived reality of LGBT+ people who have experienced conversion practices in the UK.  

The report, “Still Not Illegal”: evidence of modern-day conversion practices from Galop’s frontline services, provides clear evidence that conversion practices remain a widespread and ongoing issue across the UK, with LGBT+ people experiencing covert and insidious forms of abuse in attempts to change, ‘cure’, or suppress their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  

Drawing on evidence from 195 cases across three years (2022-25), the research offers a unique insight into how conversion practices often intersect with or 'hide behind' other forms of abuse and violence, especially domestic abuse.

The findings challenge common misconceptions that conversion practices are a historic issue or limited to clinical or religious settings:

• Conversion practices remain a modern-day risk for LGBT+ people in the UK. In most cases (68%), the conversion practices were currently happening, recent, or ongoing.

• The vast majority of clients in the cases analysed (81%) were subjected to multiple conversion practice attempts over time.

• The vast majority of cases analysed (81%) involved coercive and controlling conversion practices, such as emotional and psychological abuse, threats, forced marriage, or restriction and surveillance.  

• In the majority of cases analysed, the conversion practices were perpetrated or initiated by family (76%), especially by a parent/s (63%).

Jasmine O’Connor OBE, Co-CEO of Galop, said:

“Galop's new report provides some of the strongest evidence yet that conversion practices are not a thing of the past. The people whose stories are shared in this report could have been protected from insidious forms of abuse and violence. For eight years, consecutive governments have promised, and failed, to deliver a ban on conversion practices. With each delay to this vital legislation, more and more victims and survivors have been failed and left at risk. These findings make clear that LGBT+ people need protection and access to specialist support. Conversion practices should be illegal.”

Read the full report, along with Galop’s key recommendations, here.

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