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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

In the National today, Kaukab Stewart, ex-Minister for Equalities, who worked on the Ending Conversion Practices Bill for Scotland, shares her dismay & asks - why are we still waiting for Westminster when Scotland can & should act now to end abusive conversion practices? Read here: archive.ph/bkPmb

"Scotland had the better bill. Scotland had the power, the mandate. Scotland had survivors’ trust. That trust has now been broken, not just for the ones who, at great risks to themselves, gave their stories but also the ones looking on and the wider community." Kaukab Stewart in the National

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

blairanderson35.bsky.social @blairanderson35.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I was tortured as a child because I was gay. Humiliated. Punished. Threatened. Denied healthcare. I very nearly died. If the Scottish Government are too afraid of the SNP right-wing to ban conversion therapy, spare us the bullshit excuses, do us the dignity of admitting it.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 02/09/2026

The lack of bill is because they intend the England and Wales bill to extend to Scotland instead. In place of the far stronger bill they've been working on for years.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 01/09/2026

Today the @snp.org made Scotland the only UK nation without a bill to ban conversion practices. This is not good enough. If they won't stand up for our rights, we'll do it without them.

Today the SNP made Scotland the only UK nation without a bill to ban conversion practices.

This is not good enough.

If they won't stand up for our rights, we'll do it without them.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 29/08/2026

Today we emailed @simitakumar.bsky.social, @sa4dunfermline.bsky.social, and @johnswinney.bsky.social urging them to abide by their promise to the LGBTQ+ community and bring forward a ban on conversion practices in the first year of the new Scottish Government.

Dear Simita Kumar MSP, Shirley Ann-Somerville MSP, and John Swinney MSP,

With the Scottish Programme for Government imminent we urge you to ensure that it includes a core part of your promise to the LGBTQ+ community in your manifesto — delivery of your inclusive and comprehensive ban on conversion practices within your first year of government.

You pledged in your manifesto to deliver this bill, and protect LGBTQ+ people from this abusive practice, if no such effort would be forthcoming from Westminster. We now know this to be the case.

We know there is no likelihood of any comprehensive and inclusive bill coming from a Labour Government that remains entirely committed to the eradication of trans healthcare and the segregation of trans people in society. Over the past weeks we have seen evidence of its continue commitment to both. A truly trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices is entirely incompatible with their choices to continue this exclusionary and discriminatory campaign.

We know that the draft bill that was published in the last days of Keir Starmer’s premiership is not only insufficient to be considered a comprehensive ban, it could even make the fight against conversion practices more difficult. It’s lack of mention of suppression of behaviours aligns with the anti-trans EHRC guidance to enable forcing LGBTQ+ people back into the closet without sanction. It’s reliance on LGBTQ+ people to prove severe harm or distress risks re-traumatising survivors and making successful prosecutions difficult. It’s enormous carve-out for healthcare, both regulated and unregulated, provides a conversion practitioner's charter — making clear to them how to market their abusive practices to give themselves complete immunity to any sanction.

You pledged in your manifesto to ensure a ban would be introduced in Scotland. Scotland presently stands as the only nation in the UK without a draft bill having been introduced. It also, from our work together over the last five years, has the strongest possible draft legislation ready to produce.

To turn back now would be a betrayal of your promise to the LGBTQ+ community made in your manifesto and over the past five years. To proceed and deliver this ban could be a significant step towards returning Scotland to the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights where we proudly stood for so long.

Today our community feels assailed from all sides by discrimination and hatred. We have faced betrayals and surrenders by many who we once considered allies. The UK has a whole has plummeted down LGBTQ+ equality rankings as the community is put at risk to placate forces of hatred that can never be placated.

Scotland can be a nation again where the LGBTQ+ community feels safe and supported. We hope you share a belief in that future, too.

Yours,

The ECT Campaign Team

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 20/08/2026

As we live through the stages of a new era of a new Section 28 it is clear that our Governments have learned nothing from the suffering that Section 28/2A caused. If our Government recognised the harm done by censoring LGBTQ+ people and forcing them into the closet - they would not be repeating it.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

As it stands, Scotland is the only part of the UK that has not introduced a draft bill to end the harm caused by conversion practices. We think Scotland needs to act and introduce its own legislation to Holyrood urgently.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 07/08/2026

We met with the Scottish Government this week - and made clear that the Westminster conversion practices bill is not only insufficient but may actually make things worse in the fight against conversion practices. It is vital that Scotland proceeds with a bill itself. With the Govmnt or without it.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Why are we waiting for a Scottish Conversion Practices Bill? Part 1. Conversion practices are acts which deliberately try to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 05/08/2026

No government who presided over and continues to promote this kind of regulation, designed to attempt to drive trans people out of public life or into the closet, could ever be trusted to deliver a real conversion practices ban.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 05/08/2026

Today the most markedly hostile anti-trans regulation ever conceived in the UK goes into force - creating legal chaos and an environment of suspicion and hostility targeted at anti-trans segregation with a blast radius that will hit everyone else as well. It is unworkable, unenforceable, and cruel.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 04/08/2026

Our analysis of the UK Conversion Practices bill remains the same. It is insufficient and, in fact, if passed in its current form it would actively damage the fight against conversion practices. The Scottish Government must proceed with its own far more comprehensive and well-designed bill.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 13/07/2026

The UK conversion practices bill is too weak, too flawed, and too open to continuation of these abusive practices to succeed. We do not have faith in the UK Government to correct these significant issues The Scottish Government must proceed with its far stronger and more comprehensive ban this year

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 23/07/2026

The forthcoming Code of Practice is set to cause immense harm. If you are an individual or organisation who has been negatively impacted by this statutory guidance, we want to hear how it will impact you: goodlaw.social/946e3c

goodlaw.social

Have you been impacted by the new Code of Practice?

If you are an individual or organisation who has been negatively impacted by this statutory guidance – please tell us about your experiences.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 15/07/2026

This guidance makes the current Government the most hostile to LGBTQ+ people and our rights in a generation.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 13/07/2026

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

While Scot Gov could potentially opt in to the UK Government’s bill so it covers Scotland as well, we think this would be a mistake as the legislation fails to adequately address all forms of conversion practices & includes major loopholes that we cannot guarantee the UK Govt or Parliament will fix.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Scotland is the only part of the UK that hasn't introduced draft legislation to end conversion practices – we need our own comprehensive law to end the harm they cause as soon as possible. Our analysis on why a Scottish bill would be best for our community: www.equality-network.org/our-work/pol...

Graphic with a pink to blue gradient background. It says "Scotland is the only part of the UK that has not introduced draft legislation to end conversion practices – we need our own comprehensive law to end the harm they cause as soon as possible." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are at the bottom.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Paul Brand @paulbrand.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

NEW: The Archbishop of Canterbury states in this letter that she believes the government’s draft bill banning conversion therapy will still allow for “non-abusive” practices which attempt to change someone’s sexuality. This is the loophole campaigners like Jayne worried about.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Scene LGBTQ+ Magazine @scenemag.co.uk · 07/07/2026

A British teacher has been banned from the profession after telling pupils that gay and trans people are "mentally ill" during a classroom discussion, with a disciplinary panel finding the comments amounted to discriminatory behaviour.

scenemag.co.uk

Teacher struck off after telling pupils gay and trans people are ‘mentally ill’

A teacher has been banned from the profession after telling pupils that gay and trans people are "mentally ill" during a classroom discussion, with a disciplinary panel finding the comments amounted t...

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Not In Our Name (NION) Women @nionwomen.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

NION Women is proud to stand alongside a coalition of UK women’s organisations in a joint statement on the EHRC’s updated Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations. Read here 👉 notinourname.org.uk/womens-organ...

Women's organisations speak up against the EHRC's updated Code of Practice

NION Women are proud to be a joint signatory

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 28/06/2026

Even after Section 28 was repealed, many educators felt unable to talk about LGBTQIA+ identities in the classroom - denying generations of queer young people information, visibility and support. Source: tinyurl.com/4ymm4js4

The petition could see the Government acknowledge the harms of the Thatcher-era law.
A petition calling for a public inquiry into the devastating impacts of Section 28 on LGBTQ+ people has passed 10,000 signatures, meaning the Government must respond to it.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Kit Colliver @presentlyincorrect.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Edinburgh Council condemn EHRC guidance, passed 34 to 19. Thanks to excellent drafting by @alexstaniforth.bsky.social and four powerful deputations from @rtie.org @scottishtrans.bsky.social @transpridescotland.bsky.social and the Education Institute Scot democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/s1...

democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 25/06/2026

We don't, we've shared our resources with anti-ABA campaigners to support their efforts. We're aware of how autistic people are also more at risk from anti-LGBTQ+ conversion practices and so how they're not separate concerns.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Nancy Kelley @nancymk.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I've spent years working towards a ban on conversion practices, hoping to see a bill published. Today, I just feel so profoundly sad. As many others have noted, the draft has a carve out for "healthcare" so broad it makes a mockery of the idea this is a 'ban'. 1/2 www.gov.uk/government/p...

gov.uk

Conversion practices draft bill

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Abigail Thorn @theabigailthorn.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

As I’ve said before, any serious attempt to ban conversion practices in Britain has to confront the fact that the NHS never stopped doing it. This draft bill not only fails, it explicitly gives “healthcare providers” permission to continue.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 25/06/2026

This myth creates the potential for anti-trans campaigners to launch legal attacks on providers of trans healthcare and support services using the discredited myth of "transing the gay away". A bill to ban conversion practices should cede no ground to such legal assaults on support for trans people

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 25/06/2026

The draft bill also includes the discredited concept of these practices involving "causing to have a trans identity" - and similar for non-heterosexual orientations. There are no such conversion practices. Conversion practices are anti-LGBTQ+ abuse. The idea of pro-LGBTQ+ conversion is a myth.

(b) causing the individual—
(i) to have or not to have,
(ii) to believe that they have or do not have,
a transgender identity or a particular transgender identity.

(a) causing the individual—
(i) to have or not to have,
(ii) to believe that they have or do not have,
a sexual orientation or a particular sexual orientation; or

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @pluslibdems.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Exempting broadly-defined "health" services from this bill would be a bit like exempting "fuel" services from a bill about CO2 reduction. There must be no carve-outs or loop holes for abusive practices, in healthcare or otherwise, for this to be anything like what has been promised, for years.

gov.uk

Conversion practices draft bill

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

dr. pseudonymity enjoyer @ulycia.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

important to note the draft bill produced by the scottish government only exempted regulated healthcare professionals (this is a *very* small number of people) and only when acting in line with their regulatory boards the westminster version basically allows any quack 'counsellor' to carry on

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

If you have been affected by conversion practices in Scotland and need support, you can contact Scotland’s LGBTQIA+ Helpline at lgbthealth.org.uk/service/help... or call 0800 464 7000

lgbthealth.org.uk

LGBT Helpline Scotland

Free, confidential helpline for all LGBTQ+ people in Scotland, who want a safe space to talk. Support available via phone, livechat and email.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 25/06/2026

It couldn't - the regulations involved are devolved. The Scottish Parliament could vote to extend it to Scotland but in its current form that would be a bad thing. The Scottish Government has a far stronger and more comprehensive draft bill in hand for Scotland. We hope to see it come forward.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 25/06/2026

This bill, in its current form, simply is not fit for practice. It is, as far as we can see, so short because it has been rushed out for political reasons and leaves an enormous loophole any conversion practices provider could use. We hope to see a Scottish bill in the upcoming ScotGov PfG.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 25/06/2026

The carve out for "healthcare" fails our "no exemptions or exceptions" criteria because it leaves an enormous loophole for any conversion practices provider to claim they are practicing healthcare. This would make the ban potentially completely useless. bsky.app/profile/joly...

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 25/06/2026

The suggested offences also place an onus on the victims, or targeted victims, to prove severe harm or distress which has a serious adverse effect This is both potentially difficult to prove and makes *attempted* conversion practices and offering such abusive practice almost impossible to persecute

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 25/06/2026

Westminster has published its conversion practices bill: www.gov.uk/government/p... We will be looking more carefully at it in the coming days - initial concerns include the lack of mention of suppression of behaviours and relying on definitions for sexuality now unfit due to SC judgement on "sex"

gov.uk

Conversion practices draft bill

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 18/06/2026

The Labour Government has, over the past two years, eradicated trans youth healthcare and overseen the forced detransition of trans youth, and accepted new regulatory guidance that is a segregation charter for trans people. Any genuine ban would immediately criminalise their current policy platform

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 16/06/2026

For many young LGBTQ+ people online communities are their escape from those in their lives who do not accept who they are. Cutting them off from those communities is often the first step of concerted attempts to inflict conversion practices upon them. A ban makes that step much easier.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Mallory Moore @sexabolition.blog · 16/06/2026

Literally there are conversion therapy manuals that start with isolating your child from all potential sources of safeguarding and supportive information and cutting them off from unmonitored internet access so they can find the number for ChildLine while you're not watching is right up there.

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Emilia Y Belknap @emiliabelknap.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Recruiting for a research project on identity, belonging & constitutional change in Scotland. Looking to hear from: • ethnic minority backgrounds • trans, non-binary & gender-diverse people 5–10 min survey + optional focus group (£30) Shares appreciated 💜 southampton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

nonbinarybarrister.bsky.social @nonbinarybarrister.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Introduce non-binary legal recognition. Would it be so terrible? It was a pleasure to attend the House of Commons last night, thank you to @kateosbornemp.bsky.social and @transhistoryweek.com (go follow) for the invite. #houseofcommons #legalreform #ehrcguidance

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Reposted by ECT Scotland

Scottish Greens @scottishgreens.org · 04/06/2026

Pride is a protest. This year, the Scottish Government must step up and ban so-called conversion therapy in Scotland. #FMQs

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 18/05/2026

"The Scottish LibDems said that it “doesn’t matter” which government “finally gets this done” but that it is essential the law “doesn’t get mired in intergovernmental squabbles”." Glad to see this - should be a significant majority to deliver in Scotland. www.thenational.scot/news/2611759...

thenational.scot

Scottish Government told to ‘get on with’ LGBT+ conversion therapy ban

THE Scottish Government should just “get on with” bringing in an LGBT+ conversion practices ban, a charity boss has said.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 18/05/2026

“We think it's well past time that the Scottish Government just gets on with it – six years of people suffering is too much. It's too long, and so we need them to step up as soon as possible. “For us, ending conversion practices is the number one priority.” www.thenational.scot/news/2611759...

thenational.scot

Scottish Government told to ‘get on with’ LGBT+ conversion therapy ban

THE Scottish Government should just “get on with” bringing in an LGBT+ conversion practices ban, a charity boss has said.

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 14/05/2026

We have now updated our website so you can see the members elected to the Scottish Parliament and their positions on a ban on conversion practices. We will contact all MSPs calling on them to back a ban shortly. endconversiontherapy.scot#/holyrood26/...

endconversiontherapy.scot

ECT Scotland

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 13/05/2026

This is the fourth year in a row that we have been promised a "draft" bill from Westminster. It's time to stop waiting and deliver. Scotland needs to go it alone and produce the ban we were promised. @snp.org @scottishgreens.org @scotlibdems.org.uk 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

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ECT Scotland @endconversiontherapy.scot · 09/05/2026

The latest Scottish parliamentary election delivered a significant majority in support of LGBTQ+ rights and a ban on conversion practices. Now it is time to deliver, no more delays. The Scottish people have spoken. They have backed inclusion and rejected the politics of hate.

A MAJORITY FOR A BAN
83/129
SNP 58
SGP 15
SLD 10
Nearly a 2/3rds majority elected to the Scottish Parliament on inclusive LGBTQ+ manifestos backing a ban on conversion practices and other supportive policies!
Calls for a comprehensive ban on conversion therapy covering all settings
Calls on the UK Government to remove its block on much-needed Gender Recognition legislation and update it with international best practice
Significant manifesto commitments to unlocking and improving provision of trans healthcare.
Manifesto Pledges
Supports banning all forms of conversion therapies and practices
Supports inclusive education in schools, and Gender Recognition Reform at a UK level
Supports an inclusive ban within the first year of the Scottish Parliament
“We are committed to upholding and protecting the human rights of trans people as far as possible within our powers and we will do all we can to ensure that trans people’s identities are recognised and respected”
Supports inclusive education

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