UK Drafts 5-Year Jail Terms for LGBTQ+ Conversion Practices in England and Wales
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 26
UK Drafts 5-Year Jail Terms for LGBTQ+ Conversion Practices in England and Wales
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 26
Summary
Up to five years in prison and unlimited fines would apply under a draft bill published by the government to ban abusive efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity in England and Wales.
The proposal sets the criminal threshold at abusive acts that seriously harm the victim, while adding safeguards for legitimate healthcare, therapy, open conversations and free speech.
A new civil protection order would let authorities intervene before abuse occurs, mirroring orders used in forced marriage and female genital mutilation cases.
371 cases were identified by Galop between 2022 and 2025, which ministers say shows existing laws on domestic violence, coercive control and communications do not cover the specific abuse.
The draft bill comes eight years after Theresa May first promised a ban, following repeated delays and reversals that at one point excluded gender identity and triggered a backlash.
Where does the UK's bill draw the line between protecting a child and criminalising a parent's religious guidance?
How will the UK's new conversion ban navigate the free speech challenges that recently succeeded in US courts?
The UK’s 2026 Landmark Draft Bill: Banning Abusive LGBT+ Conversion Practices and Its National Impact
Overview
In June 2026, the UK government published a landmark draft bill proposing a ban on abusive conversion practices across England and Wales. This move marks a new era for LGBT+ protection by establishing a legal framework to prevent practices that seek to change or suppress an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill is notable for its trans-inclusive scope, ensuring protections extend to transgender individuals as well. By specifically targeting and criminalizing harmful conduct disguised as 'conversion,' the UK aims to align with international best practices in human rights and equality, sending a strong message against these discredited and damaging practices.