Thousands of people took to Downing Street on 10 April to protest the UK government’s decision to exclude trans people from a ban of so-called ‘conversion therapy’.
“Trans rights are human rights” and “LGB with the T” were among the many phrases chanted by the crowd, which tripled in size in the space of around 30 minutes.
GAY TIMES attended the demonstration, which was so big that the police had to redivert Whitehall’s traffic around it due it spilling onto the street.
An array of LGBTQ+ activists and celebrities showed their support, with the likes of Jayne Ozanne and Peter Tatchell giving speeches to the crowd.
“What do we want?” Ozanne, one of the protest’s organisers, shouted into a megaphone. “A ban,” the crowd responded. “Who must be in it?” she asked, with the audience united in declaring, “Trans people.”
Those at the event held placards and waved Pride flags in the air.
Some signs included messages calling for a comprehensive ‘conversion therapy’ ban alongside pictures of Boris Johnson, whose administration backtracked on its previous commitment to a ban of the practice for all LGBTQ+ people.
Conor Clark for GAY TIMES
Backlash against the move has been so fierce that the government cancelled its first-ever global LGBTQ+ conference, breaking a manifesto pledge from the 2019 election.
Iain Anderson, the government’s LGBTQ+ Business Champion, resigned because of the U-turns made on the ban and was in attendance at the protest.
“It was really important to be here because I just believe that any ban on ‘conversion therapy’ firstly should take place, there shouldn’t be any kind of flip-flopping on it, but secondly, also that the ban includes all LGBTQ+ people,” he told GAY TIMES. “So, it was important for me, just empathetically, to be here in Whitehall.”
Drag Race UK stars Ella Vaday and River Medway also showed their support for a comprehensive ban of the practice on the day.
“We’re here today to have trans people included in the ban on ‘conversion therapy’,” River explained. “I think that ‘conversion therapy’ should not be subjective to only certain people and the ban should cover every single type of person.”
Conor Clark for GAY TIMES
Ella added: “I am disgusted at what the government’s doing in not banning it for the trans community as well. It needs to be banned completely.”
‘Conversion therapy’ is typically defined as any attempt at changing a person’s sexuality or gender identity, often involving techniques such as electroshock therapy or prayer.
It has been widely condemned by health experts all over the world, with some comparing it to torture.
Among these are the National Health Service, World Health Organisation, World Psychiatric Association and the United Nations.
A commitment to banning it was first made by Theresa May’s administration in 2018, though is yet to actually happen.
Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, criticised the government for “flip-flopping” and said ‘conversion therapy’ should be banned “in all its forms”.
Conor Clark for GAY TIMES
Conor Clark for GAY TIMES
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