BANNING CONVERSION THERAPY: The Missing Evidence PB

The Government proposes to ban what it labels ‘abhorrent and coercive conversion therapy’, while LGBT activists seek to prevent any therapy being sought for unwanted sexual attractions or gender confusion. These activists have a two-pronged endeavour.

(a) to forbid those taking steps to change or leave their unwanted attractions and identities

(b) to insist that these identities (for instance, a young girl identifying as a boy, or vice versa) should be affirmed.

Such ostensibly tolerant objectives have significant totalitarian potential, along with the neglect or encouragement of serious problems particularly affecting youth.

The Government’s proposed legislation could criminalise counselling, discussion, prayer and teaching based on orthodox Christian doctrine, and would be a serious attack upon free enquiry and freedom of speech.

With reference to a wealth of clinical and psychological academic studies, this book discusses:

whether there really are 'abhorrent and coercive' practices being used for unwanted sexual attractions in the UK today

It also examines:

The evidence so far as to whether or not therapies for unwanted sexual attractions are effective, and whether any lead to improvement or deterioration in mental health and well-being

The evidence of fluidity in sexual orientation and the incidence of change

The trend in our institutions for the affirmation of gender change for young people (who may have mental health issues or only transient gender confusion), leading to irreversible hormonal and surgical treatment

This work, by a distinguished sociologist, is an objective academic enquiry into a range of issues surrounding so called 'conversion therapy' and is essential reading for those wishing to understand the impact of the government’s proposals.

As reviewed by Stephen McQuoid, General Director of GLO, in March 2023: 'Veteran sociologist Patricia Morgan begins by quoting the Government’s proposal for the ban in which it states that therapies are both ineffective and coercive, and then she sets about looking at the actual evidence. The book turns out to be a real eyeopener. Firstly, Morgan notes that there are already robust laws in place banning any kind of coercion, so this legislation is unnecessary. Then she highlights the fact that there is little evidence of Christin groups or churches using coercion to persuade people to deal with their sexual orientation. Moreover, there is at least some evidence that, with appropriate input, some people who experience unwanted same-sex attraction can change, at least to some extent, and there is a lot of evidence that suggests that many children who present with gender dysphoria can adjust and feel comfortable in their own bodies with appropriate support. In other words, advocates of the ban do not have evidence on their side. In any case, she argues that the law should not forbid an individual who wants to seek help from finding it, nor should it prevent access to pastoral services if their orientation is unwanted.

Morgan then asks important philosophical questions about the proposed ban and the campaign behind it. Quite apart from some questionable claims that campaigners make, the very activities of aggressive groups such as Stonewall and Mermaids require carefully questioning. Why should a change of life in one direction be encouraged and affirmed, while a change of life in another direction be criminalised? Moreover, campaigners such as Jayne Ozanne have been disingenuous and aggressive in presenting their case and her involvement behind the scenes is laid bare in this book. If you want an intelligent and evidence-based guide to this very contemporary issue, this book provides it.'



Product details
Publisher: Wilberforce Publications (16 Jan. 2023)
Language: English
Paperback: 216 pages