Church looks set to condemn ‘gay cures’ as Archbishops say sexuality report will not appear until 2020

Jun 23, 2017 by Jill

by Olivia Rudgard, Telegraph:

The Church of England looks set to condemn controversial “gay cures”, after Theresa May suggested they could be banned.

The issue will be discussed in a debate at next month’s meeting of the Church’s governing body.

The General Synod will vote on a motion to endorse a statement by psychology experts that conversion therapy, which uses methods including prayer and aversion therapy in an attempt to stop people being homosexual, is “unethical, harmful and not supported by evidence”.

Jayne Ozanne, a campaigner for gay rights, who proposed the motion, said in a briefing note that the therapy was “condemned by professionals as being harmful to LGBT people as it is based on a misguided belief that being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is wrong.

“This leads to increased mental health problems for LGBT community due to stigmatisation.”

In 2015 the Church was criticised by gay rights groups for not having a stance on the issue after a member organised a one-day conference which promoted therapies for “unwanted same-sex attractions”.

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Read: Next Steps on Human Sexuality report