by Daniel Martin, Telegraph
Gender-critical campaigners express alarm at pro-trans charity’s access to Downing Street
Stonewall has helped Labour to draw up its “chilling” new conversion therapy law, The Telegraph can disclose.
The Government is relying on research produced by the controversial pro-trans charity to justify the introduction of the new criminal offence.
Stonewall’s head of policy was also invited to a meeting in No 10 to discuss the law, and made recommendations to MPs investigating the draft legislation.
On Thursday night, gender-critical groups expressed alarm that Stonewall was being given high-profile access to Downing Street, when that was denied to them.
Under the Government’s draft Conversion Practices Bill, people face up to five years in prison for using physical or psychological abuse to pressure someone to change their sexuality or gender identity.
The Telegraph has launched a campaign for the bill to be scrapped.
Critics have described the new law as “chilling” and fear it will criminalise doctors, teachers and parents who are trying to have honest conversations with children about whether they really wish to change gender. Bosses could also risk jail if their staff use the wrong pronouns, campaigners have claimed.
Opponents said it was “extraordinary” that Stonewall had been allowed such high-level access, given its controversial role in the trans debate.