Peers speak out against vague conversion therapy plans
from The Christian Institute:
Peers have criticised a proposed law that could criminalise ordinary Christians and loving parents.
The House of Lords was debating Baroness Burt of Solihull’s Private Member’s Bill, which seeks to outlaw attempts to “change” or “suppress a person’s expression of sexual orientation or gender identity”.
However, the vague proposals have the potential to criminalise Christians who engage in prayers or pastoral conversations with people who are struggling with LGBT issues.
‘Badly drafted and dangerous’
A number of Peers spoke out strongly during the debate, including Lord Forsyth of Drumlean who said that “in nearly 40 years in Parliament, I have never seen a more badly drafted or dangerous piece of legislation”.
He said the vagueness of the Bill meant it could ban parents from telling their children not to dress as a member of the opposite sex, or take dangerous puberty-blocking drugs, calling this eventuality “extraordinary”.
Lord Forsyth also dismissed Baroness Burt’s claim that the Bill is not an attack on free speech, saying: “Of course it’s an attack on free speech if parents feel they can’t give guidance to their children. It’s an absolute basic duty of parents to give guidance to their children and to prevent them from suffering any harm. It criminalises advice given in good faith.”
Watch Lord Forsyth’s speech here
Secularist Baroness Fox’s speech here
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