Parents who refuse to allow their children to ‘change gender’ could face up to seven years in jail under the Scottish government’s plans to ban ‘conversion therapy’.

The SNP’s current radical proposals would make it illegal to “change, suppress and/or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression”.

The implications are far-reaching and deeply concerning.

• Loving parents could become criminals for not supporting their child’s declaration that they are transgender and pacing them on a pathway that often leads to irreversible surgical changes.
• Teachers could become criminals if they ‘misgender’ a child or use a child’s preferred pronouns, despite there being no legal recognition of gender change for anyone under the age of 18 in Scotland.
• Pastors, children’s workers, and parents could become criminals for teaching what the Bible says about human sexuality.

Parents and teachers should not fear being imprisoned for refusing to go along with gender ideology!

Please sign our petition to urge First Minister Humza Yousaf to put an end to his plans to implement a ban on 'conversion therapy' in Scotland.

Like other bans of ‘conversion therapy’, the proposed ban seeks to stop people who wish to shape their own sexuality or gender expression.

The proposals would particularly impact Christians who seek help as they seek to honour God with their bodies. Christian ministries that offer support, therapy and prayer to those seeking help will also be affected.

The proposals also ignore the many, many stories of individuals who have detransitioned. In the majority of these stories, individuals have often shared that they felt pushed into transitioning and may not have proceeded had there been more opportunities for open conversations and support.

Yet, the proposals do their best to silence any conversation or ‘support’ that is anything but affirming of trans ideology and could even prevent detransitioners from telling their story.  

We urgently need your voice to sign our petition to First Minister Humza Yousaf, urging him to ensure real support for those seeking help with their sexuality and gender identity isn’t shut down.

Last year, Scotland’s self-ID law was halted by the UK government – a significant setback for the SNP.

If we gain enough support, the proposed ban on ‘conversion therapy’ could also be halted.

Our collective action is vital.

Success in our campaign means preventing a law that could unjustly criminalise parents for acting in what they believe to be the best interests of their children.

Inaction could lead to a scenario where parents are imprisoned for not supporting a path that might lead to irreversible changes for their child.

This issue demands immediate attention. We need your signature today to urge First Minister Humza Yousaf to stop the plans to ban 'conversion therapy'.

More information:
Ending conversion practices in Scotland: consultation [Scottish Government]:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/ending-conversion-practices-scotland-scottish-government-consultation/

Scottish Catholics fear proposed ‘conversion therapy’ ban will lead to ‘State-approved’ suppression of religious freedoms [Catholic Herald (£)]:
https://catholicherald.co.uk/scottish-catholics-fear-proposed-conversion-therapy-ban-will-lead-to-state-approved-suppression-of-religious-freedoms/

Conversion therapy ban: Church groups says it is 'ready to go to court' with the Scottish Government [The Scotsman]:
https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/conversion-therapy-ban-church-groups-says-it-is-ready-to-go-to-court-with-the-scottish-government-4471502

Parents who refuse children gender change face seven years in jail in Scotland [Telegraph (£)]:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/09/parents-refuse-child-gender-change-jail-snp-conversion-ban/

'This bill will destroy families': Parents and campaigners slam SNP plans they say could see mothers and fathers JAILED for refusing to allow their children to change their gender [Mail]:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12947745/snp-conversion-therapy-plans-criticised.html

Scottish parents who refuse to allow their children to change their gender could be JAILED under radical new SNP plans to ban conversion therapy [Mail]:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12945227/Fears-grow-SNPs-plan-ban-conversion-therapy-Scotland-campaigners-warn-create-chilling-effect-free-speech-criminalise-parents.html

CI remains ready to take Scot Govt to court over new ‘conversion practices’ law [Christian Institute]:
https://www.christian.org.uk/news/ci-remains-ready-to-take-scot-govt-to-court-over-new-conversion-practices-law/