Calls grow to scrap Labour conversion practices bill over parental and therapist prosecution fears

GB News reported growing calls to scrap Labour's conversion practices bill, which critics say could criminalise parents, therapists and bosses who question or fail to affirm a transgender identity. The bill would allow up to five years in prison for anyone found trying to suppress or change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

On Jacob Rees-Mogg's State Of The..., human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said the bill was not primarily about transgender children. He said it was 99.5% about protecting gay, lesbian and bisexual young people from abuse by a small minority of homophobic parents and faith leaders. He argued that current law allows a parent to tell a gay son to stop being gay or be thrown out, and that the bill would set limits on parental authority. He listed safeguards: the conduct must be intended to change or suppress sexuality or gender identity, must be abusive, coercive or pressurising, and must cause serious harm. He called fears that parents could not speak to their children scaremongering and said similar legislation in Victoria, Australia, had not led to parents being taken to court for expressing opinions. GB News also reported that critics feared parents could be jailed for questioning a child's gender identity, restricting online access or refusing to go along with a child who identifies as a cat.

GB News later reported a Daily Telegraph story that the proposed law could mean bosses who fail to use correct pronouns for trans employees could go to jail unless they show they took all reasonable steps to stop misgendering. Directors could face up to five years in prison and companies could be hit with an unlimited fine. On Patrick Christys Tonight Late, the presenter and panel questioned whether using the wrong pronouns was conversion therapy and argued the law was either unnecessary or an overreach. They also discussed whether religious guidance from a priest could fall foul of the bill. The programme noted that government statements said reasonable steps would be a defence, but asked why the law was needed if it would not change behaviour.

By 6 November, GB News reported that calls to scrap the bill were growing. Psychotherapist and Conservative councillor James Esses told Friday Night with Matt Goodwin that it was a 'conversation ban' that would criminalise therapeutic, religious, parental and free speech. He said abuse and torture were already illegal and warned that a parent who declined to affirm a child's transgender identity could face prosecution. He also warned of a chilling effect on therapists.

GB News contributor Kai Wilshaw disputed that account. He said it was 'a lie' to claim the bill criminalised talking and that the draft text set a high bar requiring evidence of abuse and serious harm. GB News senior analyst Joanna Marchand said a parent's refusal to affirm a child could feel like abuse to a vulnerable young person and called for Labour to involve both sides as the draft is debated.