The beginning of #BanConversionTherapy protests against the government for its blatantly transphobic stance has kicked off around the UK and Ireland. This comes after the collapse of their #SafeToBeMe2022 event scheduled for this summer.

The protest in London is at Downing Street, The protest in Belfast is at City Hall and The protest in Dublin is at British Embassy 29 Merrion Road. There is warning of high police presence at the Downing Street protest. I will update this list as any new information comes in.

The protests are opposing the Government’s decision to not include transgender people in its conversion therapy ban. This after they initially dropped the ban altogether but quickly did a u-turn after facing immediate backlash.

Over 100 LGBTQIA+ groups have come together in solidarity to boycott the Government and their #SafeToBeMe2022 conference scheduled for this summer. With Stonewall UK issuing a statement for the LGBT Consortium unequivocally stating that the community stands together on this issue and The Government must do more to protect us:

“Trans people are no less worthy of respect, care and protection than cis lesbian, gay and bi people. If the UK Government cannot stand behind and respect all LGBTQ+ people’s fundamental human rights, it should not be convening an LGBTQ+ rights conference on the global stage.”

An incoherent statement by The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, was given to The Daily Mail. A statement in which The Prime Minister states that his reasoning for not including transgender people in the proposed conversion therapy ban includes three things. None of which have any bearing on conversion therapy.

If you can’t attend the protest Stonewall UK are advising you can still lend your voice and support to opposing The Government’s action. You can write to your MP and engage with the social media campaigns via #BanConversionTherapy. There is also a petition circulating which currently sits at 84,000 signatures at time of writing. At 100,000 signatures, UK Government is mandated to consider a debate on the issue.

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  1. […] The LGBTQIA+ community have stepped forwards as one to oppose the Government’s decision to exclude trans people from the conversion therapy ban. Over 100 groups pulled out of the #SafeToBeMe2022 conference which has since been cancelled. A petition has been circling and acheived 100,000 signatures in 4 days and protest action took place in Dublin, Belfast and London; with the Downing Street protest in particul… […]