The government is finally listening.
A Christian advocacy group expresses gratitude for the significant opposition within the House of Lords to a proposed bill targeting “conversion therapy,” which it believes threatens religious freedom and free speech. The UK-based Christian Concern describes the recent parliamentary debate on House of Lords Bill 5 as unprecedented, highlighting that more politicians opposed the ban than supported it, marking a historic occurrence in British parliamentary history and internationally.
House of Lords Bill 5 aims to outlaw practices categorized as “conversion therapy,” defining it as any attempt to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Violators could face fines without a specified maximum penalty, potentially leading to unlimited fines.
During the recent debate on Bill 5 in the House of Lords, 29 members voiced opposition to the measure, while 15 supported it. Notably, members from various political parties and non-affiliated members expressed concerns about the bill’s potential impact on fundamental freedoms, including parental rights and religious beliefs.
Christian Concern’s Chief Executive, Andrea Williams, commended the parliamentarians for their sensible approach to the bill, emphasizing that criminalizing parental guidance on sensitive issues such as gender identity is unnecessary and harmful.
The group raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, which could potentially criminalize private conversations on sexuality and gender issues, including discussions within families, religious communities, and therapy sessions. They argue that the bill’s provisions could infringe upon essential freedoms and lead to unintended consequences.
While the bill’s sponsor, Baroness Burt, downplays concerns about widespread prosecution, Christian Concern maintains that the lack of clarity in the legislation leaves room for misinterpretation and potential misuse by authorities.
The bill will undergo further scrutiny in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, with upcoming readings and committee discussions scheduled to address its content and potential implications. Christian Concern vows to continue advocating for the protection of religious liberty and free speech in the legislative process.