In June, the UK Government finally published the draft Conversion Practices Bill. The draft bill set out new criminal offences and civil protection orders to ban conversion practices that try to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Galop's own research showed how modern-day conversion practices often ‘hide behind’ other forms of abuse and violence, and gaps in current legislation can leave LGBTQ+ people in high-risk situations. In a sample of recent conversion practices cases in our frontline services, we found that almost two-thirds (68%) were current, recent, or ongoing. The UK Government’s own research found that 7% of LGBTQ+ people have been offered or undergone conversion practices.

The draft bill is undergoing a process known as pre-legislative scrutiny before being formally introduced in Parliament. This is undertaken by a specially formed joint committee made up of six MPs and six Peers. The joint committee has 12 weeks to scrutinise the draft bill. They will likely call for and consider written evidence, hear oral evidence and report its findings with recommendations for the government by 22 January 2027. The MPs on the committee are:

• Olivia Bailey (Labour MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire) 
• Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour MP for Cardiff West)
• Danny Beales (Labour MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
• Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat MP for Chelmsford)
• Naz Shah (Labour MP for Bradford West)
• Sir Jeremy Wright (Conservative MP for Kenilworth and Southam)

The Peers on the committee are:

• Lord Scriven
• Baroness Brown of Silvertown
• Baroness Browning
• Lord Hope of Craighead
• Lord Isaac
• Baroness Prentis of Banbury

The draft bill is by no means perfect. We know there need to be some changes to ensure it is robust and effective in protecting all LGBTQ+ people. It has taken us over eight years to get a draft bill. This process of scrutiny will hopefully give us and our community a chance to show the government why this ban is so desperately needed and what more must be done to ensure all LGBTQ+ people are protected. It’s time England and Wales caught up to countries like Canada, France, Germany, and New Zealand who have already outlawed conversion practices.

We will share more information when we know how the committee would like to hear evidence and how you can play your part in making sure politicians know why we need a comprehensive ban to protect all LGBTQ+ people.

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